'LI B RARY
OF THE
UN IVER.SITY
OF 1LLI NOIS
977.335
D29h
v.
I.H.S.
HISTORY
of
WHITESIDE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908
{V,
By WILLIAM W. DAVIS, M. A.
ILLUSTRATED
With Biographical Sketches of some Prominent Citizens of the County
VOL. II
Chicago:
THE PIONEER PUBLISHING CO.
1908
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OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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BIOGRAPHICAL
HON. TYLER McWHOETER.
Hon. Tyler McWhorter, coming to Whiteside county in pioneer days,
was closely associated with its early development and later progress and left
the impress of his individuality upon its growth and development. His
labors were a beneficial factor in public life, not only in the material interests
of the county but in its political progress as well, and he was honored by his
fellow townsmen with election to the state legislature, where he represented
his district most creditably.
Mr. McWhorter was a native of Ohio, but was reared to manhood in
Indiana, to which state he removed in his early boyhood with his parents,
John and Mary (Lynn) McWhorter, the former a native of Pennsylvania
and the latter of West Virginia. John McWhorter was a descendant of
Thomas McWhorter, who came from Scotland before the French and Indian
war and took up his abode in New Jersey. His children were Gilbert, Hugh
and Mary, the last named becoming the wife of William Bucha'nan. Hugh
McWhorter married Keziah Tyler and they had six children Thomas,
Tyler, Betsey, James, Keziah and John. Of this family Tyler was the father
of John McWhorter and the grandfather of our subject. He married and
settled in Indiana, where was born unto him a son, John McWhorter, The
last named, arriving at years of maturity, wedded Mary Lynn and their
children were Lynn, Francis, Henry, Tyler, Keziah and Mary.
Reared to manhood under the parental roof, Tyler McWhorter early
became familiar with the experiences of pioneer life in Indiana, as he aided
in the development of new land there and its further cultivation as it was
transformed into productive fields. He had no special advantages in his
youth; in fact, his opportunities were rather limited than otherwise. During
his boyhood days he pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse in Indiana and
i i
644 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
his father, who was a teacher, assisted him in acquiring a good practical edu-
cation.
He remained at home until his marriage, which was celebrated Novem-
ber 28, 1849, Miss Rhoda A. Ward becoming his wife. She was born near
Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a daughter of Elias and Rhoda (Miller) Ward, who
were natives of New Jersey. Her maternal grandfather was Major Luke
Miller, who served with distinction in the Colonial army during the Revolu-
tionary war. He spent his entire life in Madison, New Jersey, dying in the
house in which he was born. He was a farmer and blacksmith by occupa-
tion and lived a life of industry. His family numbered two sons and six
daughters. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Rhoda A. McWhorter was
Israel Ward, a native of New Jersey, who made farming his life work. In
1811, accompanied by his family, he removed to Hamilton county, Ohio,
where he bought land for himself and his sons. He had a family of six sons
and two daughters. His son, Elias Ward, the father of Mrs. McWhorter, was
a soldier of the war of 1812 and for his services received a land warrant. For
a number of years he followed the carriage-trimmer's trade in Cincinnati, but
finally selling his farm in Ohio removed to Franklin county, Indiana, where
he lived until a few years prior to his death. He then came to Whiteside
county, Illinois, to make his home with Mr. and Mrs. MeWhorter and some
of his other children and here died September 6, 1870. His family num-
bered twelve children and, with the exception of one who died in infancy,
all reached years of maturity, were married and reared families of their own.
Only two, however, are now living Mrs. McWhorter and Lewis B. Ward,
who resides in Rock Falls, this county.
Following his marriage Tyler McWhorter continued to reside in Indiana
until 1854, when he started for Whiteside county, Illinois. He made the
journey by team, bringing with him his household goods, after which he
returned for his wife and three little children. This time they traveled by
rail to Dixon and thence by team to Sterling. From that time forward until
his death Tyler McWhorter was a prominent and influential citizen of this
part of the state. The first farm he purchased comprised three hundred and
twenty acres of land, which he bought from Jonathan Banes, who had secured
it from the government. The purchase price was three dollars per acre. Not
a furrow had been turned upon the place and the land was in the condition
in which it came from the hand of nature. Mr. McWhorter first erected a
small frame house, which is still standing and is yet in possession of the
family. He performed the arduous task of developing new land and con-
verting raw prairie into a cultivable farm and in the course of years, as the
result of his indefatigable labor, he had one of the finest and best cultivated
farms in his township, bringing his land under a high state of development
and adding to it many modern improvements and equipments. All these,
however, involved much earnest toil and conditions of life in the community
afforded no such conveniences and advantages as are now to be obtained.
The farm machinery was very crude and much of the labor now done by
improved agricultural implements was then done by hand. His neighbors,
(I"
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 645
too, were widely scattered. Only here and there had a settlement been made
and many of the homes were built of logs. As a farmer Mr. McWhorter took
a deep interest in all that pertained to the advancement of agricultural and
stock-raising interests and, stimulated by his example and words of encour-
agement, many other farmers turned their attention to the improvement of
their land and the advancement of their live-stock interests according to his
methods. His labors were thus of direct benefit to his fellowmen. At one
time he was the owner of five hundred and twenty acres in Montmorency
township, while in Kossuth county, Iowa, he had six hundred and forty acres.
He lived upon his farm in this county, however, until his death and was one
of the most prominent agriculturists of northern Illinois.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tyler McWhorter were born four sons and three
daughters Mary, now the wife of John Jamison, of Algona, Iowa; Ellis,
who is living near Algona; Anna, the widow of Edgar Woods, of Mont-
morency township, Whiteside county; John E., of Burt, Iowa; William L.,
who is represented elsewhere in this volume; Charlotte L., the wife of Fred
Buell, of Sheridan, Wyoming; and LeRoy S., who makes his home near Burt,
Iowa.
Mr. McWhorter through the period of his residence in this county was
recognized as a mos'c public-spirited man and was frequently honored with
positions of public trust and responsibility. From 1868 until 1874 he served
as supervisor of the town and both prior and subsequent to that period he
held other offices. In. the fall of 1874 he received the unanimous nomination
of the republicans for the position of representative in the twenty-ninth gen-
eral assembly and such was his personal popularity and the confidence reposed
in him that he was elected by a large majority. He served on several of the
more important committees of the house and gave to the matters which came
before the assembly the careful consideration necessary to arrive at a proper
conclusion as to their merits. He was an earnest working member of the
house and was connected with considerable important constructive legisla-
tion. In community affairs he took a helpful part and his influence and aid
were always given on the side of reform, progress and advancement, while
his many good qualities made him one of the foremost citizens of the county.
He was instrumental in securing one of the first schools in Montmorency
township and served as school director for fifteen years, the cause of education
receiving from him tangible aid. He was a recognized leader in the local
ranks of the party and became a leading and active member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. His death occurred on the 5th of May, 1889, when he
was sixty-four years of age, and his wife, who survives him, has been a resi-
dent of Sterling since 1890.
Though nineteen years have come and gone since Tyler McWhorter
passed from the scene of earthly activities the influence of his life and labors
has not ceased to be felt. His example was well worthy of emulation and
the character of his work made him a citizen whom to know was to respect
and honor. He lived to witness the transformation wrought in this county
and was an active factor in the work of improvement as it was carried for-
640 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ward. His own life was at all times characterized by an orderly progression,
and the motives which guided his conduct gained for him an unsullied repu-
tation.
i ' i j
EDWIN WHITFORD MITCHELL.
Edwin Whitford Mitchell is operating his father's farm on section 13.
Mount Pleasant township, renting this tract of two hundred and eighty
acres of rich and productive land, while his father, Charles Winegar Mitchell,
resides in Morrison, having retired from active business life. C. W. Mitchell
was born in Cayuga county, New York, December 18, 1843, and is a son
of Edward R. and Harriet (Winegar) Mitchell, natives of Madison and
Onondaga counties, New York, respectively. Edward R. Mitchell was of
English lineage and of Quaker ancestry. He was a blacksmith and, remov-
ing to Whiteside county in 1865, settled in Mount Pleasant township, where
he purchased one hundred and twenty ares of land, upon which he spent
his remaining days, dying in 1892, at the age of eighty-three years. His
religious faith was that of the Society of Friends and his political support was
given to the whig party until he joined the ranks of the new republican party.
His wife, who was born in 1810, and died in 1888, came of Swiss ancestry.
The first of the family to come to America located in Lee, Massachusetts,
early in the seventeenth century. Her parents were Samuel and Tabitha
(Crocker) Winegar, the former a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Mitchell was
also a relative of Captain Clark, a soldier of the Revolutionary war. In
childhood days Mrs. Edward Mitchell was baptized in the Episcopal church
but later became a member of the Universalist church. By her marriage
she had three children: Amanda, the wife of Charles Ward, a farmer of
Niagara county, New York, who came to Illinois in 1863 and settled in
Mount Pleasant township, Whiteside county, where he made his home until
his death; Charles W., father of our subject; and Lydia, who married Nathan
Mitchell, of Elgin, Illinois, who was a railroad engineer but is now deceased.
She has since married Theodore G. Knox, now a retired farmer of Colorado
Springs, Colorado.
Charles W. Mitchell was reared on a farm and educated in the public
schools of Syracuse, New York, also spending one term in the Fulton Sem-
inary, at Fulton. New York. He taught school for a year in Oswego county,
New York. In the fall of 1864, when twenty years of age, he enlisted at
Cicero, New York, in Company D, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth New York
Volunteer Infantry, and served until the end of the war, being mustered out
near Washington. He participated in the engagements in front of Peters-
burg during the siege and was also in the battle of Quakers Farm, Gravelly
Run and Hatcher; Run. He was at Appomattox and the flag of truce from
Lee came into the battle line of the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment.
At the time of the surrender Mr. Mitchell had but a single hardtack, which
he gave to a Confederate in exchange for a Palmetto button off his coat. It
was two davs after this before rations were issued to Mr. Mitchell and his
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 647
comrades. His division remained at Appomattox and the munitions from
Lee's army were placed in their charge. From Appomattox they went to
Richmond, thence to Washington, participating in the grand review, the
regiment camping at Arlington, the former home of General Robert E. Lee.
In July, 1865, C. W. Mitchell came to Illinois, settling in Mount Pleas-
ant township, where with his father he bought one hundred and twenty
acres of land, while subsequently he purchased two eighty acre tracts and
is now the owner of a valuable farming property of two hundred and eighty
acres of finely improved land. Year after year he carried on farming with
good success until 1903, when he retired to Morrison and is now occupying
one of the attractive homes of that city.
C. W. Mitchell was married in June, 1869, to Lucy Whitford, who was
born in Huron county, Ohio, February 6, 1844, a daughter of Philo and Eliz-
abeth (Swift) Whitford, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Her father was a car-
penter and contractor, who removed from De Ruyter, New York, to Ohio
at a later day. Unto Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Mitchell were born three children :
Mary E.. who became the wife of Dr. John F. Stokes, a dentist of Rockford,
and died June 25, 1907, leaving three children ; Edwin W., of this review ; and
Anna L., the wife of Rev. William E. Levitt, a minister of the Universalist
church in Prince Edwards county, Ontario. The parents are members of "the
Universalist church and Mr. Mitchell belongs to Alpheus Clarke Post, G. A. R.,
of which he is a past commander. In politics he is a stalwart republican and
has held some local offices. For forty years he has kept a diary and this volume
has often been resorted to to settle disputes among the neighbors concerning
events of the locality.
Edwin W. Mitchell, whose name introduces this record, was born on the
farm he now cultivates, January 29. 1874. It remained his playground in
youth and his training school for life's practical and responsible duties. He
was afforded liberal educational privileges and after his graduation from
the Morrison high school, spent two years in the State University at Urbana.
He then returned to the farm and has since devoted his time and energies
to the further development and improvement of the fields. He has also for
the past year engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and
each winter feeds a large number of cattle, for which he finds a ready sale
on the market. In his business affairs he displays an aptitude for successful
management and his enterprise has brought him gratifying success.
In October, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Edwin W. Mitchell
and Miss Julia Eggieston, who was born in Chicago, June 16, 1881, a
daughter of George and Harriet (Howard) Eggieston, whose family num-
bered three daughters, Mrs. Mitchell being the youngest. Her sisters are:
Jerusha, now the wife of Fred Miller, of Sterling; and May, the wife of
Clyde C. Kadel, of Rock Falls. Mrs. Mitchell was reared in Sterling and
Rock Falls and was graduated from the high school in the latter city. She
is a lady of natural culture and refinement and presides with gracious hospi-
tality over her pleasant home. By her marriage she has become the mother
of two children: Dorothy Eggieston, born September 18, 1903; and Donald
Whitford, July 10, 1906.
648 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
In his political views Mr. Mitchell is an earnest republican but the
honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he finds that
the cultivation of a farm of two hundred and eighty acres makes heavy
demands upon his time and energies. He is, however, meeting with success
that is well merited. Since the 21st of August, 1899, he has been a member
of Dunlap Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M., of Morrison, while both he and
his wife are connected with the Eastern Star. As representatives of pioneer
families of the county they are well known and Mr. Mitchell is a young,
energetic farmer whose business capacity and executive force are Avell demon-
strated in his farming operations.
t JOHN M. GALT.
Among those who, while active factors in the world, made a record that
time cannot efface, while those who knew him are still connected with the
community in which he lived, is numbered John M. Gait. His business
interests became an important element in the commercial development of
Sterling and the strong traits of his character left their impress for good upon
public life.
Born in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1835, he was a son of William
and Mary Ann (Thomas) Gait, likewise natives of the Keystone state. .In
their family were ten children: Mrs. Amanda Crawford, now a widow;
Thomas A., a resident of Sterling; John M., deceased; William J., who was a
physician and has also passed away; Azariah T., living in Chicago; Mrs.
Isabelle McCloy, the deceased wife of Alexander T. McCloy, of Sterling; Zad-
dock, deceased; Mrs. Julia A. Lowrie, who has also been called from this
life; Ruth A., the widow of Lott S. Pennington, and one who died in infancy.
John M. Gait became one of the early settlers of Sterling. His boyhood
and youth were passed in Pennsylvania, where he acquired his education,
and when a young man he made his way westward to Whiteside county,
Illinois, and engaged first in the hardware business in Sterling. Later he
turned his attention to the manufacture of buggies, in which he successfully
continued for many years. Watchful of opportunity, he constantly extended
the sphere of his activities and with his brother, T. A. Gait, established a
bank, known as Gait Brothers Bank. This became a strong financial enter-
prise of the county and after a connection therewith of some length, John M.
Gait sold his interest to George S. Tracy. He then became a stockholder in
the Eureka Manufacturing Company, established for the manufacture of
mill machinery and school furniture, and in addition thereto became an
extensive dealer in real estate. At a later date he disposed of his manufactur-
ing interests and concentrated his entire time and attention upon his property
investments, which included both city and country property. He was a man
of keen business discernment and sound judgment, recognizing opportunities
which others pass by heedlessly and so directing his energies that desired
results were accomplished. Thus year by year he advanced in the business
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 651
world and while manufacturing, individual prosperity also contributed to the
general welfare.
On the 22d of January, 1868, John M. Gait was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth McPherran, a daughter of Andrew and Maria (Brubaker)
McPherran, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was
the first mayor of Dixon, Illinois, and from that city removed to Chicago,
where his remaining days were passed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gait were born
six children : Bessie R., now the wife of Edward J. Bowman, of Anaconda,
Montana; Kathryn M., who is living in Sterling with her mother; William
T. and John M., both of this city; Julia, the wife of Dr. Charles G. Beard,
of Sterling; and Elizabeth Irma, the wife of Edgar W. Akin, of Carlisle, In-
diana.
In religious faith Mr. Gait was a Presbyterian and Mrs. Gait belongs
to the same church. He died November 26, 1889, at the age of fifty-four
years. It seemed to those who knew him that he should have been spared
for many more years of usefulness. He left behind him an untarnished
record as a business man, while his example should serve as a source of
inspiration and encouragement to those who, without aid, wealth or influence
at the outset of their careers, must depend upon their own resources to win
success. Mr. Gait possessed strong purpose and laudable ambition and with
a recognition of the fact that in America labor is king he put forth inde-
fatigable effort to win the success which he knew would crown all intelli-
gently directed labor. He was, moreover, respected for the many sterling
traits which he displayed aside from those manifest in his business life and
his name came to be honored in the city' of his residence. )
JACOB J. LUDENS.
Jacob J. Ludens, popular as one of the younger attorneys practicing at
the Whiteside county bar, makes his home in Sterling. He was born at
Garden Plain, this county, on the 13th of October, 1877. and is of Holland
lineage, his parents, John P. and Dorothy (Vandenberg) Ludens, being
natives of the land of the dykes. The father came to America in 1866, set-
tling at Fulton, this county, where he purchased a tract of land and engaged
in farming. There he reared his family and continued as one of the enter-
prising and representative agriculturists of the community up to the time
of his death, which occurred May 7, 1893, when he was fifty-five years of age.
Mrs. Dorothy Ludens was a daughter of Jacob Vandenberg, who was a
butcher of Holland. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Jennie Va*ndenberg, died in
middle life. Mrs. Ludens still survives her husband and now lives with
her youngest daughter in Chicago. She holds membership in the Holland
Reformed church, in which John P. Ludens was a deacon for many years.
He served as school director and was a most loyal and devoted citizen of his
adopted country.
His family numbered eight children : Jennie, the deceased wife of J. B.
Sterengberg; Annie, the wife of David B. Sterengberg, of Ustick township;
652 HISTOKY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Peter M., who is living in Montana; Elizabeth, the wife of Fred M. Dykema,
of Virden, Illinois; Harry J., who is engaged in the practice of law at Mor-
rison, this state; Jacob J., of this review; John, who is a student in Knox
College at Galesburg, Illinois; David, a civil engineer for the Northern
Pacific Eailroad Company ; and Mattie. the wife of William Parr, of Chicago.
Jacob J. Ludens was reared to farm life in this county, attending the
district schools in his early boyhood and afterward becoming a student in
the Northern Illinois College at Fulton, where he pursued a law course. He
was admitted to the bar in 1900 and for two years thereafter engaged in
teaching school. He then took up the active work of the profession, opening
a law office at Erie, while two years later he removed to Sterling, where since
July, 1904, he has continuously practiced. In the four years of his residence
here he has Avon a creditable name for himself as a lawyer of ability and
learning who prepares his cases with great care and precision and presents
his cause in clear and logical manner.
On the 9th of January, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ludens
and Miss Ermyn I. Smith, a daughter of Dr. A. C. and Rachel Smith, her
father being one of the oldest practicing physicians of Sterling. Mr. Ludens
belongs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ; to Sterling Chapter,
No. 57, R. A. M.; to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. 0. 0. F.; and Corinthia
Lodge, No. 63, K. P. His wife is a member of the Baptist church. They
are interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the com-
munity. Mr. Ludens is a republican in politics and an active worker in the
party, serving now as a member of the county central committee. The alert,
enterprising spirit of the middle west is manifest in all that he does and
the place that he has already won for himself in professional circles argues,
well for a successful future. He is popular as a citizen and as an attorney,
and he and his wife move in the best social circles of the city.
MENSCH.
Elmer Ellsworth Mensch, one of the representative and successful farm-
ers of Jordan township, owes his advancement in the business world entirely
to his own well directed efforts, his close application and honorable business-
dealings. He was born October 19, 1862, in Montour county, Pennsylvania,
the family home being near Danville. His parents, Andrew and Elizabeth
(Miller) Mensch, were also natives of the Keystone state, but they died
when their son was quite young and he has no definite knowledge of his
grandparents save that they, too, were natives of Pennsylvania and lived to-
an advanced age, the grandfather, Jacob Mensch. being more than eighty
years of age at the time of his demise.
Elmer Ellsworth Mensch was one of three children, of whom two are-
now living, his sister being Mrs. Isabelle Osman, a widow residing in Colo-
rado. At the time of the Civil war Andrew Mensch joined the army as a
soldier and gave his life for the cause of the Union. He enlisted soon after-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 653
the outbreak of hostilities and remained continuously at the front until the
battle of Petersburg, when he was killed in the engagement. He was a gal-
lant soldier, always loyal to the old flag and ever brave in support of the
cause which he espoused. Following his demise his widow became the wife
of John Longenberger and to them were born four children, two of whom
are yet living.
Elmer E. Mensch was but two and a half years old when his father died.
He was then placed in the care of his cousin, Jesse Mensch, with whom
he remained until he was eleven years of age. During the last two years of
that time the cousin lived in town and his daughter, having married A. D.
Keefer, settled upon the farm which her father had formerly occupied and
Mr. Mensch, then a boy of nine years, went to live on the farm. He con-
tinued with Mr. and Mrs, Keefer until the winter of 1880, when he came to
Whiteside county, settling first in Jordan township. For the first few years
after his arrival here he was employed as a farm hand and thus provided
for his support and laid the foundation for his present prosperity.
On the 8th of October, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mensch
and Miss Maggie Wilger, a daughter of Joseph and Marie (Grubb) Wilger,
who were natives of Germany and came to Pennsylvania in early life. After
spending a few years there they removed westward to Whiteside county and
took up their abode in Jordan township. Mr. Wilger died December 10,
1867, when about sixty-one years of age. The mother survives at the age of
seventy-six years and is a remarkably well preserved woman.
Following their marriage Mr. Mensch rented a farm of eighty acres in
Palmyra township, but that did not prove a profitable venture and a year
later he removed to the A. C. John place, where he cultivated one hundred
and thirty acres of land, residing thereon for four years. He next located
on the John Kratz place, of two hundred and eight acres, where he made
his home for nine years, and on the 1st of March, 1898, he bought the
present place of seventy-six acres. It had very few improvements upon it
at that time but is now a beautiful farm property, in the midst of which
stands a pretty home, while in the rear are fine barns and outbuildings and
everything about the place is in excellent condition made so by the efforts
of Mr. Mensch. His life has been characterized by unfaltering industry
guided by sound judgment. He early came to realize the value of untiring
labor and as the years have gone by he has achieved the measure of success
which ever crowns earnest, persistent labor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mensch have been born two children: Omer E.,
who is now nineteen years of age and is attending business college at Ster-
ling in preparation for a commercial career; and Marie, a bright and inter-
esting little daughter of four years. The parents are well known in the com-
munity and have an extensive circle of friends.
Mr. Mensch has always been deeply interested in politics and in public
matters relating to the welfare and upbuilding of the county. He votes
with the republican party and in 1896-7 filled the office of collector. He has
served for many years on the school board, was assessor for seven years and
in the spring of 1906 was elected supervisor of his county. The offices that
654 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
he has filled have found in him a faithful incumbent, ever loyal to the inter-
ests of the public and promoting general progress by practical, enterprising
methods. In 1906 he was one of the federal grand jury summoned for the
celebrated Standard Oil cases.
Mr. Mensch is a charter member of Penro.se Camp, No. 2203, M. W. A.,
in which organization he held the office of clerk for nine years. Two years
later he filled the office of councilor and was elected to represent the local
lodge in the county organization and then elected to the state convention.
He commenced life a poor boy and his record shows what can be accomplished
when one has the will to dare and to do. He is now pleasantly situated in
life and, moreover, he enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen by
reason of the'straightforward, honorable methods that he has followed in his
business career, in public office and in fact in every relation of life.
HENRY BRESSLER.
Henry Bressler, who for more than a half century was a resident of
Whiteside county, was closely associated with its agricultural development
and at all times upheld its political and legal status. He stood for high
standards in citizenship and in private life as well and the energy and dili-
gence which he displayed enabled him to rise from a comparatively humble
position in the business world to one of prominence and affluence.
He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1826, his
parents being Isaac and Frances (Neff) Bressler, also natives of the Keystone
state. The former was a son of Peter Bressler, who came from Bressler,
Germany, with his parents in his boyhood days, the family home being
established in Pennsylvania. During his active business life he followed
blacksmithing and farming. The maternal grandfather, Henry Neff, also
a farmer by occupation, died in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Their
daughter, Frances, one of a large family, gave her hand in marriage to
Isaac Bressler, son of Peter and Elizabeth Bressler.
After following farming for some time in Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
vania, Isaac Bressler removed westward to Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1856
and settled on a tract of land in Jordan township, where he made his home
until called to his final rest when about seventy-eight years of age. His wife
survived him and was more than ninety-two years of age at the time of
her death. Both were members of the Mennonite church and were people
of the highest respectability. Their family numbered twelve children, eleven
of whom reached adult age, while seven are now living: Eliza, the widow
of Henry Bush, of Sterling; Annie, the widow of Jacob Meyers, who makes
her honie in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania; Catharine, who is the widow
of John Stauffer and resides in Rowland, Nebraska; Peter, of Spokane,
Washington; Isaac, living in Sterling; Benjamin, also of Sterling; Mary,
the widow of Weidler Greybill, who likewise resides in Roseland, Nebraska.
Those who have passed away are: Levi; Lydia, the wife of John Buckwalter,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 655
Fannie, the wife of William Echternaeh; Henry; and Susan, who departed
this life when two years of age.
The personal history of Henry Bressler is the record of a man who
in all life's relations was found trustworthy, whose ideals were high and
who ever made earnest effort to live up to the standard which he set before
him. He was reared in the east, remaining upon a farm in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, during the period of his boyhood and youth, while the public
schools of that locality afforded him his education-al advantages. He was
a young man of about twenty-five years when he first sought the opportunities
of the west, thinking to improve his financial condition by a removal to this
less thickly settled but more rapidly developing region. Accordingly he
arrived in Whiteside county in 1851, accompanied by his wife, and pur-
chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jordan township at the usual
government price.
On the 21st of December, 1848, Mr. Bressler had married Miss Margaret
Stauffer, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 8, 1830, a daughter of John
and Barbara (Eby) Stauffer. Her parents were also natives of Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, Her paternal grandparents were Christian and Fan-
nie Stauffer. The former was born in the Keystone state, of German descent,
and was a miller by trade. He owned a large farm, which he cultivated
for many years and at the age of seventy-seven he passed to his final rest,
while his wife was sixty-five years of age at the time of her demise. Their
family numbered seven children, who reached years of maturity: John,
Maria, Benjamin, Annie, Betsey, Jacob and Barbara. The maternal grand-
father of Mrs. Brassier was Peter Eby, a native of Pennsylvania, who followed
the occupation of farming and was also a Mennonite preacher. He wedded
Margaret Hess and both lived to an advanced age, rearing a large family,
which included Peter, Christ, John, Henry, Ann Susan, Barbara, Elizabeth,
Annie and Maria. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John Stauffer were eight in
number: Benjamin, Fannie, Peter, Christ, John, Margaret, Annie and Bar-
bara, and the only one now living is Mrs. Bressler.
Following the removal of Mr. and Mrs. Bressler to Whiteside county he
concentrated his time and energies upon his business interests in connection
with the development and improvement of his farm and as the years passed
by he extended its boundaries by the purchase of an additional sixty acres.
Upon that place he resided for thirty-two years, bringing it under a high
state of cultivation. In 1885 they removed to Sterling, where Mr. Bressler
spent his remaining days in honorable retirement from labor.
They reared a family of nine children, who are a credit and honor
to their name. Elizabeth, the eldest, is the wife of Martin Overholser, a
resident of California, and they have four children : Ida, the wife of Walter
McCaskill ; May, the wife of Lewis Seibert ; Grace, the wife of George Clem-
ents; and Lola, the wife of Walter Osterhoudt. Isaac Bressler, the second
of the family, operating the old home farm in Jordan township, married
Delora Brewer and they have three children, Fred, George and Carrie, the
last named the wife of Frank Weatherwax. John Bressler, a farmer residing
west of Sterling, married Ora Brewer and they have one son, Harry. Henry
656 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Bressler is living at home with his mother. Marcus, who follows farming
in the state of Washington, married Leah Rutt and they have three children:
Lura, the wife of Roy Kellogg; Floyd; and Margaret. Ida became the wife
of Stephen Stiles and died leaving two children, Walter and Robert. Frank,
a practicing physician of Chicago, married Maude Sheppard and they have
a daughter, Helen. Adelia is the wife of Lorenzo Osterhoudt, a farmer
residing east of Sterling, and they have two sons, Walter and Henry. Irving,
the youngest of the family, died in infancy.
The father of this family died on Christmas day of 1905 and thus passed
away one of the prominent and honored pioneer .settlers. He held various
township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness, capa-
bility and fidelity. He did not seek to figure prominently in public life,
however, as he found in his active business career that his farming interests
claimed the greater part of his time and attention. He worked diligently
year by year to attain success and eventually became possessed of a valu-
able property that enabled him in his later years to live retired and to leave
his family in comfortable financial circumstances. He was devoted to the
welfare and happiness of her who traveled life's journey by his side for
many years as a devoted and loving wife. His many good traits of char-
acter gained him the respect of his fellowmen and his death was the occasion
of wide-spread regret to all who knew him.
AMOS W. HARDY.
Amos W. Hardy has been a life-long resident of Mount Pleasant town-
ship, Whiteside county. His natal day was June 27, 1854, and from early
boyhood to the present time he has been identified with agricultural interests
here. His father, William Hardy, who carries on general farming on section
13, Ustick township, has made his home in the county since 1853 and was a
resident of Mount Pleasant township until 1877, when he removed to Morri-
son. In 1879 he became a landholder of Ustick township by his purchase of
one hundred and sixty-two acres, which he still owns. He has since added
about sixty acres by a later purchase and almost the entire tract is now under
a high state of cultivation, comprising one of the rich farming properties of
Whiteside county. Mr. Hardy was a young man of twenty-one years when
he arrived here, his birth having occurred in Lincolnshire, England, January
27, 1832. His parents were Isaac and Sarah Hardy, both of whom died in
England. William Hardy is their fifth child and has seven brothers and
sisters. He was reared to farm life and remained a resident of his native land
until 1852, when he came to the United States, spending a year in New York
city, whence he removed to Whiteside county in 1853. He has been a stal-
wart republican since becoming a naturalized American citizen and has served
as school trustee but has never been active as an office seeker. In early man-
hood he married Keziah Richardson, at Unionville. Illinois, and to them were
born seven children: Amos W., Richardson I., Wingfield J., Horace G.,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 657
Olive, Alice J., and Ruby K. Mrs. William Hardy had been previously mar-
ried, her first husband being Thomas Hardy, who died in Mount Pleasant
township. Her death occurred in August, 1869, and William Hardy after-
ward wedded Alicia Richardson, the widow of William Kennen, who passed
away in Mount Pleasant township. The death of Mrs. Alicia Hardy occurred
April 2, 1885, in Ustick township.
Amos W. Hardy, whose name introduces this record, was reared to the
occupation of farming and in his youth acquired a good English education in
the public schools. He was married on the 27th of November, 1878, to Miss
Harriet Bowen, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Bowen. Her father was
born September 8, 1805, and came to Illinois in 1853. Here his death occurred
November 16, 1876. His wife, who was born May 1, 1817, died February 8,
1889. They were the parents of five children: Randall, who is married and
lives in Lyndon; William, of Denison, Iowa, who is married and has five chil-
dren; Mrs. Myra Loucks, of Traverse City, Michigan, who has one daughter;
Mrs. Helen Tuller, who died leaving a daughter, who is now a resident of
Lyndon; and Mrs. Hardy. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen were earnest, consistent Chris-
tian people and held membership in the Methodist P^piscopal church.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hardy has been blessed with four chil-
dren: Ralph W., born September 1, 1879, resides at home and follows the
machinist's trade. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen. R. Alice, born
October 24, 1881, is now teaching in Mount Pleasant township and she belongs
to the Royal Neighbors. Sylvia K., born November 20, 1883, is at home.
Ross L., born December 20, 1886, is an engineer. All the children yet remain
under the parental roof.
The family home is a fine farm of one hundred and ten acres situated in
Mount Pleasant township. It belongs to his father, but A. W. Hardy has en-
tire management of the place and in the cultivation of the fields is meeting
with good success. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp and his wife
is a member of the Royal Neighbors and also of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Hardy gives his political allegiance to the republican 'party and
has served in several of the township offices, wherein he has discharged his
" duties with a promptness and fidelity that have won him high encomiums,
lems that continually confront the physician.
J. M. WINKEY.
J. M. Winkey is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and fif-
teen acres situated on section 7, Genesee township, and its neat and thrifty
appearance indicates his progressive spirit and unwearied industry. It was in
this township that his birth occurred July 13, 1871. His parents, William and
Pauline (Larke) Winkey, were both natives of Germany and in 1867 came to
America, at which time they established their home in Carroll county, Illi-
nois. After a year there passed, however, they removed to Genesee township,
Whiteside county, where Mr. Winkey purchased a tract of land and carried
on general farming. He was thus engaged until his life's labors were ended
658 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
in death in 1874. His widow still survives and is yet residing upon the old
homestead in this county. Their family numbered seven children: William,
of this county; Gustave, who resides in Carroll county, Illinois; Emma, the
wife of Christ Schultz, of Whiteside county; J. M., of this review; Lena, the
wife of Herman Heide, of Carroll county, Illinois; and two who have passed
away.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life
for J. M. Winkey in his boyhood and youth. He remained at home until
twenty-seven years of age. He was only eighteen months old at the time of his
father's death but he continued with his mother and as his age and strength
increased aided more and more largely in the work of the fields. He was a
student in the public schools but through the months of summer worked on
the farm until he reached the age of twenty^seven, when he rented land and
thus started out in life on his own account. For six years he thus engaged in
farming, after which he purchased one hundred and fifteen acres of land on
section 7, Genesee township, where he now resides. Here he carries on general
agricultural pursuits and has a well developed property, his careful conduct of
its interests bringing to him a goodly return in large crops, for which he finds
a ready sale on the market.
In 1897 Mr. Winkey was married to Mis? Ottilie Appold, who was born
in Germany, July 9, 1878. Her father died in that country and the daugh-
ter afterward came to America with her mother in 1891. She was an only
child but by her marriage has become the mother of four children : Walter
H., Irma 0., Marie T. and Bertha E. The parents are both members of the
German Lutheran church and as such are highly esteemed because of their
fidelity to their principles. Mr. Winkey votes with the republican party and
is loyal to its interests but has no desire for public office, as he prefers to give
undivided attention to his business.
EDWARD A. SMITH.
Edward A. Smith, well known in the business circles of Morrison as
president of the First National Bank, was born in Fulton, Illinois, June 27,
1865, and was a student in the schools of this city in his boyhood days and
afterward attended Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, for a short time.
He put aside his text-books in order to assist his father in the bank, a brother
having died in 1887, so that there was a vacancy left in the clerical force of
the institution. At intervals from 1884 he had assisted in the bank, so that
the business was not entirely unfamiliar to him. The institution is known
under the firm style of the Leander Smith & Son Bank, Edward A. Smith
having been admitted to a partnership ori the retirement of Duncan Mackay.
Since the death of his father he has been at the head of the bank and in its
conduct is associated with a younger brother, Harry W., who came into the
bank as an equal partner, but the name of Leander Smith & Son has been
retained. They do a general banking and also a mortgage loan business on
LIBRARY
OF THE
DIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OP WHITESIDE COUNTY 661
real estate. Edward A. Smith is also president of the First National Bank
at Morrison and of the Illinois Refrigerator Company. He is likewise inter-
ested in lands in Union Grove, Mount Pleasant, Newton and Ustick town-
ships, in Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas and Iowa, and likewise in real
estate in Morrison.
In 1889 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ellen M. Sprague, who was
born in Monmouth, Illinois, in 1867, a daughter of Henry T. and Caroline
Sprague. Her father following farming in Warren county, Illinois, for a
short time and then returned to New York. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five
children : Eleanor A., who is attending the Emma Willard School for Girls
at Troy, New York ; Marion L. and Frank L., who are students in the high
school at Morrison ; Dorothy C., also in school ; and Edward A., who com-
pletes the family.
Mr. Smith is a Mason and also belongs to the State Bankers' Association.
In politics he is an earnest republican and is interested in community affairs.
For more than a half century the Smith family, of which Edward A. Smith
is a representative, has figured in connection with the history, the develop-
ment and the upbuilding of this part of the state and Mr. Smith is a worthy
scion of his race, carefully conducting the business interests which were estab-
lished by his father and extending the scope of his activity through personal
investment and enterprise.
EDWIN MALTVA COE.
Among the representatives of farming interests in Hopkins township
who by consecutive and well directed efforts have gained prominence and suc-
cess, is numbered Edwin Maltva Coe, who owns and cultivates an excellent
farm on section 33. Hopkins township. He was born January 5, 1858, in
Jordan township, White.-ide county, Illinois, a son of Mortimer Strong and
Rachel (Penrose) Coe, who were natives of New York and Ohio respectively.
The father was one of Whiteside county's prominent old settlers. His parents
were Simeon M. and Mary (Miles) Coe, pioneers of Whiteside county.
Simeon Maltva Coe, the grandfather of our subject, was born March 12,
1810, in Paris township, Orieida county, New York, and was a son of Simeon
Maltva Coe, Sr., whose birth occurred in Litchfield, Connecticut, October
29, 1784. His immediate ancestors were descended from one of several
brothers who came from England. Throughout succeeding generations the
representatives of the family followed the occupation of farming and all
have sustained the prestige of an honored name. Simeon Coe and Joshua
Miles, the paternal and maternal grandfathers of Mortimer S. Coe, were both
soldiers of the Revolutionary war and the latter became a captain in the
army under General Putnam. As the family has grown and scattered, differ-
ent branches have located in New England, New York and Ohio.
Simeon M. Coe, the grandfather of Edwin M. Coe, was descended from
the New England branch of the family and was married, September 1, 1807,
662 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
to Mary Miles, a native of Connecticut. , After their, marriage they removed
to Oneida county, New York, locating near the site of the city of Utica,
although the town had not then been founded. They were pioneers of that
locality and Mr. Coe cleared and otherwise improved two farms in that dis-
trict. The maternal grandfather of Edwin M. Coe was Edwin Penrose, who
was of English descent and of Canadian parentage. He was born in Pennsyl-
vania but in early life became a resident of Ohio and was married in that
state.
The father, Mortimer S. Coe. was born in Rush, Monroe county, New
York, September 21, 1832, and was but a child when the removal of the
family to Illinois made him a resident of Whiteside county. He was but
a lad when his father died and he remained the companion and helper of
his mother and sister until he had almost attained his majority. He started
out in life on his own account as a day laborer and from a humble position
in the business world steadily worked his way upward to affluence and promi-
nence. He was married March 28, 1855, to Miss Rachel Penrose, a daughter
of Edwin and Mary (Spencer) Penrose. They immediately afterward located
upon a farm in Jordan township and he brought the fields under a high
state of cultivation, residing there until about 1869. He then sold that
property and subsequently purchased a farm of two hundred and forty
acres in Hume township, five miles west of Rock Falls. He made this one
of the best improved and most valuable farms in the township, erecting a
beautiful home in the midst of attractive surroundings. The farm presented
a well kept appearance, indicating the careful supervision of the owner,
neatness and thrift characterizing every department of the farm. He raised
stock of the highest grades and annually gathered rich harvests. Upon the
farm he remained until 1893, when he retired from active work and re-
moved to Rock Falls, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well
earned rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coe were born two children: Edwin M.,
of this review; and Albert L., who is living in Rock Falls. The father had
eight brothers and three sisters, namely: Mrs. Lucy M. Stull, Simeon M.,
George A., Frederick M., Henry A., Albert S., Jonathan F., Decius O., Ade-
line E., Marcus L., and Mrs. Helen A. Stevens. The last named is the only
surviving members of this large family of children and now lives in Sterling.
Mortimer S. Coe was a good man and true. He was quiet and unassuming
in manner but the sterling traits of his character were widely recognized and
he was beloved by all who knew him. In his family he was a kind and
indulgent father and a loving and helpful husband and in the community
was known as a loyal neighbor and friend. He belonged to the Rock Falls
Methodist church and was a consistent Christian gentleman and a man of
great moral strength. He stood as an uncompromising republican, believing
firmly in the principles of the party and proving especially stanch in his
support of the party during the early days when it stood for the suppression
of slavery in the north.
Edwin M. Coe was educated in the common schools and assisted in the
work of the home farm until about twenty-five years of age. He thus early
gained intimate knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 663
for the crops. He was married December 22, 1881, to Miss Adelia Mangan,
a daughter of Richard L. and Naomi J. (Thoman) Mangan. Her father
was born July 13, 1821, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in which city his
early youth was passed. He was married September 16, 1843, to Miss Naomi
J. Thoman and to provide for his family followed the stone-mason's trade.
About 1854, however, he left the east and removed to Whiteside county,
Illinois, where he engaged in farming to some extent and at the same time
worked at his trade. For thirty-two years he made his home in Sterling,
where his death occurred on May 16, 1887. In August, 1862, he responded
to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company D, Seventy-
fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He "was with that command in all of
its engagements until he was wounded on the 29th of July, 1862. He was
made corporal on the 8th of April, 1863; first sergeant on the 17th of April,
1863; and was afterward promoted to the second lieutenancy, which rank he
held at the time of his discharge. He was wounded before Kenesaw Moun-
tain, Georgia, in June, 1864, by a musket ball, which struck the upper part of
his foot. He was carried to the rear and his foot amputated but gangrene
set in and a second amputation was necessary. As this did not check the
gangrene a third amputation followed, until the leg was off almost to the
knee. He arrived home in September, 1864, and although he afterward
went to Philadelphia and got a regular patent government leg and foot,
he always suffered from his injury, many times being in severe pain. He
was a good citizen arid brave soldier and proved his loyalty to the country
in days of peace as he did in days of war. He rendered capable service to
his fellow townsmen as a member of the city council, also as justice of the
peace, and again as city treasurer. For many years he served as justice of
the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. Mrs. Coe is
one of a family of eleven children, namely: Mrs. Mary L. King, a widow,
residing in Chicago; Samuel Thoman, who is living in Sterling; William F.,
also a resident of Sterling; Mrs. Emily Hoyt, a resident of Pennsylvania;
George K., deceased: Mrs. Caroline Stevens; Richard L., and Cyrus, all resi-
dents of Sterling; Mrs. Coe; Irwin J., living in Harris, Iowa; and Mrs. Clara
Shaw, of Chicago.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coe have been born three children : Albert Irwin,
who is attending college in Mount Vernon, Iowa: Lauren Mortimer, who is
also attending college in Mount Vernon, Iowa; and Carroll Decius, who is
now completing the high school course.
The home farm of the family comprises one hundred and ninety acres
of rich and productive land. It is carefully and systematically cultivated in
the production of corn, wheat and other cereals. It is pleasantly located,
about seven and a half miles from Sterling ancj about the same distance
from Morrison and in his farm work Mr. Coe displays keen judgment and
sagacity. In all of his business dealings he is thoroughly reliable as well
as enterprising and his labors have thus resulted in winning creditable suc-
cess. In community affairs he is progressive and takes an interest in all
that pertains to the welfare and advancement of his native county. He
has been assessor of Hopkins township for three years, school trustee for
664 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
about fifteen years and also town cleric. He and his family are members of
the Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal church, of Sterling, and he has served
as superintendent of the Ben Sunday school for ten or more years. He
belongs to Sterling Lodge, M. W. A., and is loyal to the teachings of the
order and of the church, his life being actuated by high and honorable prin-
ciples, whereby he commands the warm regard of all with whom he is
associated.
HENRY BRUBAKER,
Henry Brubaker. an enterprising and successful agriculturist and stock-
raiser of Garden Plain township, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
vania, September 28, 1834, his parents being Henry and Susan (Brubaker)
Brubaker, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The paternal
great-grandfather of our subject emigrated from Germany to the United
States and served with the American army in the war for independence. The
grandfather, Abram Brubaker, reared a family of two sons and two daughters,
of whom Henry Brubaker, the father of our subject, took up his abode in
Lancaster county and later went to Franklin county, Pennsylvania. The
latter passed away in the year 1863 and his wife was seventy-five years of
age at the time of her demise. Their family numbered eleven children, as
follows: Samuel, deceased, whose family resides in Franklin county, Penn-
sylvania; Daniel, who has also departed this life; Fannie, the widow of David
Keller, who likewise makes her home in Franklin county; Carrie and Eliza-
beth, twins, both now deceased, the former having been the wife, of John
Brakefield and the latter the wife of John Sell, of Franklin county, Penn-
sylvania: Abram, who resides in Whiteside county, Illinois; Henry, of this
review; Annie, the deceased wife of Jacoby Meyer, of Pennsylvania; Susan,
the widow of Daniel Brewer; John, who makes his home in Garden Plain
township; and Ezra, of Franklin county, Pennsylvania.
Henry Brubaker was educated in the district schools of Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, and there grew to manhood. In 1865 he came westward to
Whiteside county, Illinois, settling in Garden Plain township on the place
where he now resides. He first purchased a tract of eighty acres which was
slightly improved, paying thirty dollars per acre for the land, and subse-
quently bought forty acres adjoining, at thirty-five dollars per acre. Later
he added to his holdings a tract of twenty-five acres, mostly timber land,
for which he paid a thousand dollars, and has also purchased another eighty-
acre tract at sixty-six dollars per acre. Mr. Brubaker has one of the best
improved farms and most desirable locations in Garden Plain township, and
his success is all the more commendable by reason of the fact that it has
been gained entirely through his own well directed energy and straightfor-
ward business dealing. He is widely recognized as one of the most successful
agriculturists and stock-raisers of the community and as a progressive and
enterprising citizen.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 665
In 1863 Mr. Brubaker was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E.
Rinaker. a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Hevel) Rinaker, natives of
Pennsylvania and Germany respectively, the latter being eighteen years
of age on her arrival in this country. Her father, who came to the United
States prior to the Revolutionary Avar, took part in that struggle for liberty
and was killed in battle. He had intended to bring his family to America
as soon as he was able to do so. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rinaker reared a fam-
ily of eight children : John, who now resides in Moundridge, Kansas, served
as a soldier of the Civil war for nine months. Mary is the deceased wife of
John Miller. Catherine is the wife of Hiram Kirschner, of Oklahoma. Eliz-
abeth is the next member of the family. Sarah is the deceased wife of
William Spore. Samuel enlisted for service in the Civil war three different
times, his first term being for three months, his second for nine months and
his third term of enlistment for the remainder of the war. He served for
almost five years and was never wounded, though he took part in a number
of important and hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Bull
Run and Gettysburg. He now makes his home in Oklahoma. Daniel and
Annie Rinaker are both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker are the
parents of three daughters: Laura, the wife of Ervin Hoff, of Garden Plain
township ; Emma, the wife of George Garwick, likewise of Garden Plain
township; and Cora, who died at the age of thirteen years.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker are devoted and faithful members of the
Church of Christ, and during the long period of their residence here have
gained the warm esteem and friendship of many with whom they have come
in contact, being well known as people of genuine personal worth and up-
right, honorable lives. Coming to this part of the state when it was still a
pioneer region, they have watched with interest and likewise aided the slow,
persistent work of development that has transformed the county into a rich
agricultural district teeming with all the comforts and conveniences of a
modern civilization.
JUDSON TAYLOR WILLIAMS.
Judson Taylor Williams, who resides upon Woodlawn farm near Ster-
ling, is the owner of some of the finest farms of this section of the state, his
landed possessions aggregating sixteen hundred acres. He is also extensively
engaged in breeding livestock and stands as one of the foremost representa-
tives of agricultural interests of central Illinois. His success as a breeder of
live-stock has been so great, being the result of keen sagacity, business dis-
crimination and experiment, as to render his opinions upon this subject large-
ly conclusive.
He was born May 22, 1875, and in both the paternal and maternal lines
is a representative of families prominent in the upbuilding and progress of
this state. His paternal grandfather, David W. Williams, was a native of the
Empire state and followed the occupation of farming at Argyle, New York,
666 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
where he died at the age of eighty-one years. His wife, Mrs. Margaret (Tacey)
Williams, was of Scotch-Irish descent and was upwards of sixty-four years of
age at the time of her death. They had two sons and a daughter, and by a
former marriage David Williams had two children, one of whom, Robert, id
now living in Waterloo, Iowa, at about the age of eighty-seven years.
Taylor Williams, father of our subject, was born in the state of New York
and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Mary N. Jenne. Her father
was Daniel C. Jenne, to whom Illinois and the upper Mississippi valley region
is greatly indebted for its progress. He was associated in large and beneficial
measure with the improvement of the waterways and the establishment of
railroad transportation in this part of the country and in all of his work the
public was a large, if indirect, beneficiary. His birth occurred at Shaftsbury,
Vermont, in 1814. He became a civil engineer, following that profession
through much of his life, although at different times he was also connected
with the coal business and with railroad interests. Coming to the west, he
purchased a large tract of land at Prophetetown, Illinois. He also lived in
Chicago for a time but died in Sterling, when more than seventy-one years of
age. At the time of his death, in 1886, he was president of the Brazil Block
Coal Company. For many years he had charge of the eastern division of the
Erie canal, the Black River canal and the Champlain canal and was known
as a division engineer. At the same time he was chief engineer of the Utica
& Black River Railroad. In 1867 there came to him very unexpectedly an
appointment whereby he was placed in charge of the improvement of the
Mississippi river at Keokuk, Iowa. While at that place he was appointed by
the state of Illinois to take charge of the Illinois river improvement and to put
in locks and dams. After the completion of this work he began operating in
the coal fields and continued in that business up to the time of his demise,
his previous experience in civil engineering proving of much value to him in
this later line of work. In 1856. at the solicitation of Governor Horatio Sey-
mour, he went to Appleton, Wisconsin, to take charge of the improvement of
the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. In 1862 he went to Kenosha, where he built
the Kenosha & Rockford Railroad. On the completion of that line he returned
to Albany, New York, where he resumed his old position of division engineer
of the New York canals. His life work was therefore of a most important
nature, proving an element in the development and progress of various locali-
ties. Throughout his entire life he was a consistent member of the Baptist
church and at the time of his death was a trustee of the Divinity School at
Morgan Park, Illinois, and also chairman of the building committee which
erected the library there. A gentleman of plain and unpretentious manner,
he possessed nevertheless great strength of character and commanded the
respect and confidence of all who knew him.
Daniel C. Jenne married Nancy D. Butler, a daughter of Ezekiel and
Eunice (Shaw) Butler, the former a son of Luther and Hannah (Wilson)
Butler, while Eunice Shaw was a daughter of Eunice and Dorcas (Gee)
Shaw. The ancestry of the Jenne family could also be traced back to a much
more remote period, Daniel Jenne being descended from John Jenne, who in
1623 came on the third ship from England. The death of Mrs. Daniel
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 667
Jenne occurred in Chicago, when she was seventy-four years of age. Their
family numbered four children, including Mrs. Mary J. Williams, who was
a native of the Empire state and became the wife of Taylor Williams, their
only child being Judson Taylor Williams of this review.
The father, Taylor Williams, was a grain dealer and live-stock buyer,
who prior to the Civil war came to the west, settling at Ottawa, Illinois, about
1856 or 1857. Thence he removed to Sterling and began farming, while sub-
sequently he operated a coal mine at Rapid City, at Cleveland, ait Happy Hol-
low and also at St. David, JSiorris, Clark City and Gardner, Illinois. He was
thus closely associated with the development of the natural resources of the
state in taking from the earth its rich coal deposits and as he met prosperity
in his undertakings he made judicious investments in property and became
the owner of valuable fanning lands. He dealt extensively in grain and in
live-stock, and although his business interests called him to various localities
he still retained his residence in Sterling and here died in 1897, at the age
of sixty-six years. Mrs. Mary J. Williams still survives him. The father
had been previously married, his first union being with Susan Mickle and to
them was born a daughter, Elizabeth, now the wife of C. E. Goltman, of
Sterling. At one time Taylor and Mary J. Williams were members of the
Baptist church but in later life Mr. Williams became identified with the Pres-
byterian church. He was a man of exemplary traits of character, honorable
and reliable in every relation of life, and Sterling recognized him as one of
its foremost citizens. His path was never strewn with the wreck of other
men's fortunes, his success resulting from a fair exchange in purchase and
sale, from judicious investment and the legitimate profit which arises from an
honorable conduct of business.
Judson T. Williams, always a resident of Sterling, attended the public
schools of the city in his early youth and afterward continued his education
in Lake Forest Academy, at Lake Forest, Illinois. When he had completed
his education he spent two or three years in buying live-stock and was after-
ward engaged in the coal business for six years at St. Louis. He then returned
to his old home in Sterling and in 1904 he purchased what was known as the
AVhipple farm, adjoining the corporation limits of the city on the west. He
breeds, buys and sells live-stock, handling trotting horses, Percherons, saddle
horses and Shetland ponies. He also breeds and raises Holstein, Hereford,
Aberdeen Angus and polled Durham cattle, which are distributed over the
five large farms which he owns. He resides on what is known as the Wood-
lawn farm at the edge of the town. His landed possessions, however, aggregate
sixteen hundred acres. In connection with John N. Harpham he built what
is known as the Harpham & Williams building, at the corner of Third and
Locust streets, one of the fine business blocks of Sterling. He is a most excel-
lent judge of live-stock and his investments have been judiciously made. In
all of his business interests he displays sound judgment and keen sagacity.
On the 21st of April, 1898, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Olive
Wood, a daughter of Thomas Wood, but she died on the 13th of July, just
three months after her marriage. On the 31st of March, 1903, Mr. Williams
was joined in wedlock to Miss Jennie Hoover, a daughter of David and Mar-
668 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
garet (Graybill) Hoover. They have two children, Virginia and Jackson
Taylor. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Methodist church and a most
estimable lady. Her paternal grandfather was John Hoover, who became an
early resident of Whiteside count} 7 and here spent his remaining days. His
wife was a Miss Sprecher. The maternal grandfather was John Graybill, a
native of Pennsylvania, who cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of
Ogle county, Illinois. The parents of Mrs. Jennie Williams were natives of
Pennsylvania and became early settlers of Whiteside county, her father here
following the occupation of farming. He died March 13, 1900, at the age
of sixty-four years, and is still survived by his wife. They had two children
but the elder daughter, Florence May, died at the age of three years.
In his political views Mr. Williams is a stalwart republican but the honors
and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has preferred
to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. As a business man he
has been conspicuous among his associates not only for his success but for his
probity, fairness and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently
practical and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings
but also in social and private life. His activity as a live-stock dealer has not
only contributed to his individual success but has also been a factor in agri-
cultural progress, as he has done much to improve the grade of stock raised and
thereby advance prices. He is yet a young man but has already attained a
notable measure of success, making him one of the prosperous residents of
Sterling.
GEORGE W. BREWER.
No resident of Whiteside county has so long resided within its borders
as George W. Brewer, who dates his residence here from 1837. The history
of early settlement would be incomplete without his record, for from the
early founding of the town he has been a prominent factor in its substantial
growth and improvement. The land was largely in the primitive condition
in which it came from the hand of nature and through his agency much of
it has been reclaimed for the purposes of cultivation. He has as the years
have gone by purchased and sold large tracts of land in the county and his
business operations have always been carefully conducted, making his invest-
ments profitable. Now in his declining years he is living retired, enjoying a
well-earned rest, which is the merited reward of a long and honorable busi-
ness career.
Mr. Brewer was born about eight miles from Cooperstown, in Otsego
county, New York, on the 6th of May, 1827, his parents being Henry and
Lucinda (Johnson) Brewer, who were also natives of the Empire state. The
paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and of German
descent. Henry Brewer was a wagonmaker by trade and followed that pur-
suit during the greater part of his life. In 1836 he came to the middle west
to look over the country and in the fall returned to the east. The following
LWWW
'. >i-
W!!VER s 'ln ') '
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 671
Necessity however, is the mother of invention, and he
r s L c ny at c sfr ie - his r rne i' eventuaiiy iandin s "
iamily at St. Louis. From that point they went to Rock
passengers on another boat. While at St. Louis Mr. Brewer met a
Mason, and giving the sign of distress, received a loan of sixty^ol
whS' c tv A " sisted him , with teams on his way to * a2
partf ft St Lo' tSS SH^S ^ CCUIWd ' however before the
bt. Louis. Some time before leaving the wharf Henry Brewer left
it Th ^/t^ f I0ng that " W3S feared some accident^ad befal e
him. The doubts and fears of the passengers were highlv intensified by
port that a man had been murdered and his body thrown into the river
Mrs. Brewer was m great distress of mind and a second report tha
man who had tried to walk the gang plank and get into the bo't had t^t
fallen into the river by no means calmed her alarm. She felt sur that
rmist have been her husband and lighted a tallow candle to go to the ear o
the boat and see if the body would appear. There was no guard a 1 at the
tern of the vessel and in the darkness she walked right off L boat and el
into the river. A man in the crowd suggested starting the paddle wheel to
working as the only hope of bringing her body to the surface. Thieved
o be a good suggestion, for in a few seconds Mrs. Brewer appeared clhg n !
"helld tl til * ,f "^l ^ * ^ Pa(WIe whed > ^ in ^^
he held the tallow candle. The men assisted her to get aboard the boat a
while she stood amid the large crowd of passengers afl gathered around her
the water dripping from her clothing, her husband suddenly appeared up^n
re.rfoutb and here nry
fn T T [ rame f a h USe ' but there was no roof u Pon it. Later he
hl **
m de the r H ee ' n e fly
made heir home for about six weeks. They next moved into a log cabin
m Portland township which had a hole in it for a window and also a
' buthere " floor - d ^b.e end nor was Z Tb n
Th f , was n
. They lived there, however, for a few months and in February of
he following year removed to what was then Harrisburg. making a permn-
nont sett ement upon ground that is now part of the site of Sterling^ the
head of the rapids of Rock river, another town called Chatham being
footof the rapids. The first settler here was a man by the name of HezeHah
Henry Brewer could not find work at his trade of wagon-makine and
therefore turned hi.s attention to carpentering for a time, aMne in buildin
a number of the first houses of the county, the timber for which wa, cut anS
1 right on the ground, parties wanting to improve the land bavin* free
access to the timber on the town site. The shingles were made, cut and
shaved by hand. Mr. Brewer aided in large measure in the pionee develop
672 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ment of the community and witnessed a most wonderful transformation as
the years passed by. As soon as he could he built a house and wagon shop
for himself, hauling logs to Brink's sawmill, which was built after his
arrival in the county. He split out spokes and seasoned them and bought
plank at the mill and seasoned that, after which he built his wagons, con-
tinuing in the business until his death, which occurred February 27, 1848.
He was then aged fifty-nine years, two months and twenty-nine days. His
wife survived him until January 6, 1867, and had reached the age of seventy-
eight years and nine days at the time of her demise. Both were consistent
members of the Universalist church.
In their family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, George
W. Brewer is the only one now living. He was ten years of age at the time
the family made their memorable trip from the Empire state to Illinois, and
during intervening years Whiteside county has continuously been his home.
In fact, he lives upon an adjoining block to the one on which his father settled
in what is now Sterling and has never moved but once. His boyhood days
were spent in work in his father's shop, where he thoroughly mastered the
wagonmaker's trade, and after his father's death he became his successor and
carried on the business for five years. He then traded the shop for a farm
in Sterling township and for a considerable period bought, improved and
sold land, but always made his home in the city, he and his wife having
lived for fifty-one years on one corner. In his investments in property he
showed wise judgment and keen discernment, and his carefully conducted
business interests brought to him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
Mr. Brewer was married in Walworth county, Wisconsin, on the 4th of
March, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth S. Green, a daughter of David and Ruth
(Southwick) Green. His father having died, Mr. Brewer moved with his
bride into the home of his mother and there lived for five years, after which
he took his household effects to his present home, which he has built up and
improved as the years have gone by until it is now a fine residence property.
Ten children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Brewer, four sons and
six daughters, of whom four are yet living: Delora Elizabeth is the wife of
Isaac S. Bressler, a resident of Jordan township, and they have three chil-
dren, Fred Nelson, George Brewer and Carrie Elizabeth. Orra Leona is the
wife of John Bressler, living near Sterling, and they have one son, Harry
Brewer Bressler. Carrie May is the wife of William P. Northcott, of La
Grange, Illinois, and their children are Horace Brewer, Ruth Elizabeth and
Florence Harriet. Myrtie Mabel is the wife of Charles Otis Lipp, a resident
of Aurora, Illinois, and they have three children, Helen Elizabeth, Evelyn
Lucile and Charles Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer have two great-grand-
children, Gladys Carrie Bressler and Edward Nelson Bressler. Those of the
family now deceased are: Emma, born March 26, 1856; George N., born
August 12, 1857; Hattie L., born June 18, 1859; Charles D., born December
8, 1860; William H., born November 30, 1863; and Eddie C., born June 6,
1866.
Mr. and Mrs. Brewer are members of the Methodist church, she being
a charter member of the church at Sterling, and they have lived lives of
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 673
uprightness and integrity, gaining for them the respect of all with whom
they have been brought in contact. Politically Mr. Brewer is a republican,
giving stalwart support to the party since its organization. For about thirty
years he served as a school director, was also alderman for a number of years
and township collector, discharging his official duties with promptness and
fidelity.
In the early days of his residence here he hauled grain from Sterling to
Chicago with an ox team, making his first trip before he attained his ma-
jority and receiving ten dollars for his load of wheat, which sold for fifty
cents per bushel and he received twenty-five cents per bushel for hauling it.
Nine dollars of the same was expended for a thousand feet of barn boards,
some of which are still in the gable of his barn. When making the trips to
market in that way the early settlers camped out at nights and took pro-
visions with them for the meals on the journey. There is particular satisfac-
tion in reverting to the life history of this honored and venerable gentleman,
since his mind bears the impress of the historic annals of the state from
early pioneer days and also from the fact that he has attained to a position
of distinctive prominence in the thriving city where he has retained his
residence from 1837 until the present time, being now one of the revered
patriarchs of the community.
JOSEPH C. SNYDER.
Joseph C. Snyder, one of the prominent, energetic and successful business
men of Fulton, whose labors contribute to general prosperity as well as to in-
dividual interests, is today engaged in dealing in grain, fuel and building
materials. The recognition of his personal worth on the part of his fellow-
men has been manifest in his election to various positions of public honor and
trust. He has been Fulton's chief executive and postmaster and is now filling
the office of county supervisor. His birth occurred in Fulton, November 14,
1857, his parents being William C. and Isyphene C. (Pearce) Snyder, natives
of New Jersey and Rhode Island respectively. They came to Illinois in 1849,
immediately after their marriage, which was celebrated in Clinton county,
Iowa. Establishing their home in Fulton, Mr. Snyder engaged in the grain
business, which he made his principal occupation, although he also extended
his efforts to other fields of activity. Pie was prominent in public affairs of
the community and in 1861 was appointed postmaster of Fulton by President
Lincoln, filling the position for twenty years. During the fall of 1882 he was
elected to represent his district in the state senate, where he served for one
term. He occupied other official positions in the county, including that of
drainage commissioner, discharging his duties with credit to himself and satis-
faction to his constituents. His life was characterized by a lofty patriotism
and an unfaltering devotion to what he believed to be right, whether in
political circles, in business or in any other relation of life. He died in May,
1902, and is still survived by his widow, who yet resides in Fulton. They were
674 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
the parents of eight children of whom the eldest died in infancy. The others
are: Kate C., now the wife of Thomas ,T. Pickett, a resident of Wahoe,
Nebraska; Martha C., who is the widow of Jerome C. Neff and is living in New
Jersey; Annie E., the wife of Albert Stetson, of Los Angeles, California;
Joseph C., of this review; James J., who married Minnie Mickelsen, of Mor-
rison, Illinois, but is now deceased; C. Henry, a resident of Berkeley, Califor-
nia; and Lena V., now of Fulton.
Joseph C. Snyder pursued his education in the public schools of Fulton
and at the age of fifteen years started out upon his business career as a printer's
"devil." He served for nine years in the printing office and in 1881 became his
father's associate as dealer in grain, feed, fuel and building materials, in which
line his father had been eminently successful. The business relation between
them continued until the father's death and Mr. Snyder has since carried on
operations alone. He controls a large annual trade in these lines and is
numbered among the energetic business men whose labors are an element in
promoting commercial prosperity here.
Mr. Snyder was married on the 29th of March, 1885, to Miss Hattie L.
Noble, a daughter of Hiram and Sophie E. (Summers) Noble, who came
to Fulton prior to their marriage. Mr. Noble arrived August 18, 1856, while
his wife removed to this place from Sterling at an earlier date. They were
thus pioneer residents of the county and were interested witnesses of its early
development as well as its later day progress. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Noble were
born five children, of whom three reached years of maturity: Mrs. Snyder;
Harry B., of Fulton; and Elizabeth, the wife of Charles S. Ruaile, of Mason
City, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have been born five children: Ada,
Belle, Paul N., Earl C. and Byron J.
Mr. Snyder has served his town for one term as postmaster and has also
been mayor of the city. He has likewise been a member of the board of
aldermen and of the school board and takes an active interest in politics as
a life-long republican, who does everything in his power to promote the growth
and insure the success of his party. In 1906 he was elected to the office of
county supervisor and has been one of the active members of the board, doing
much effective service for the interests of the county. His loyalty and
patriotism are salient characteristics in his life record and he stands today
as one of the prominent factors in the business circles of Fulton a man
whose worth and ability have gained him success, honor and public confidence.
FREDERICK W. ULRICH.
The growth and development of a city depends not so much upon its
machinery of government or even upon the men who fill its public offices as
it does upon those who represent its commercial and industrial activity. To
the latter class belongs Mr. Ulrich, a manufacturer of improved garden tools
and implements at Rock Falls. He was born in Schlessen, Germany, July 22,
1854, a son of Gottfried and Susanna Ulrich, who were likewise natives of
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 675
the fatherland. There also occurred the birth of the grandparents of our
subject, who spent their entire lives in Germany. The maternal grandfather
engaged in the lumber business there. Gottfried Ulrich became a farmer of
Germany and was identified with agricultural interests until 1865, when he
sailed for the new world, settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked
as a laborer. In 1893 he came' to Rock Falls to live with his son Frederick,
with whom he remained for three or four years, and then went to Gutten-
berg, Iowa, where lie resided until his death on the 31st of January, 1898.
He had reached the venerable age of ninety-two years, and his wife, still sur-
viving, lives in Guttenberg, Iowa, at the age of eighty-five. They were con-
sistent in their religious faith as members of the Lutheran church and always
attempted to follow closely the teachings of that denomination.
Frederick \V. Ulrich was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his
parents on their emigration to the United States. The father landed a poor
man, having spent all the money he had accumulated to bring his family
to this country. He believed, however, that he would have better opportunity
here for achieving financial independence nor was he disappointed in this
hope, for as the years passed by he became prosperous and died leaving a com-
petency. His son Frederick was reared in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in
Michigan and had the advantage of instruction in a parochial school con-
ducted under the teachings of the German Lutheran church. He was con-
firmed in that church when about fourteen years of age.
At the age of sixteen he started to learn the machinist's trade, working for
a dollar and a half per week and boarding at home for a year. His employer
then went to Manistee, Michigan, where he conducted a machine shop and
foundry, and Mr. .Ulrich accompanied him and remained in his employ for
another year, receiving as a compensation three dollars per week and hi>*
board. That he was faithful and able in his service is indicated by the fact
that he remained with that employer for four years and during the latter part
of the third year he was given two dollars and a quarter per day, while still
later he received higher wages. He had continually advanced in efficiency,
becoming an expert workman. Returning to Milwaukee Mr. Ulrich entered
the employ of the Queen City Iron Works, with which he was connected for
four years, and later was employed by the E. B. Allis Company for a short
time. With five others he then formed a partnership and engaged in the
manufacture of bits, augers and various wood cutting tools at Rockford, Illi-
nois. A year later he sold his interest in that enterprise and came to Rock
Falls, joining E. F. Brock & Company, manufacturing garden tools and novel-
ties. He remained with that firm for about three years and then embarked in
business on his own account in 1885 in the Industrial building, now the
Lawrence building in Rock Falls. He manufactured butter tub machinery
and conducted a machine shop, this being the foundation of his present busi-
ness the manufacture of improved garden tools and implements. His an-
nual output is now extensive and his product is sold to jobbers, dealers, agents
and also to consumers. From the establishment of the business it has con-
stantly developed in growth and importance, and in 1899 the extent of his
trade justified the erection of his present factory, which is located on the
676 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
east side of Third street near the tracks of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad. The plant is well equipped with the latest improved machinery
and the house sustains an unassailable reputation for the character of its
goods and the reliability of its product?.
On the 15th of September, 1879, Mr. Ulrich was married to Miss Harriet
Amelia Lovelace, and they had three children. William Julius, Edward and
Frederick Simon, but the first named was drowned at the age of ten years.
The second son is now living in New York city, while the youngest son is in
his father's employ. He possesses a studious nature and a religious trend of
mind and does some preaching in the Christian church, with which he holds
membership. He was a soldier of the Spanish- American war, serving in the
Philippines until his discharge as civilian scout with the Seventeenth Tlakana
Scouts on the island of Mindora.
Mr. and Mrs. Ulrich are members of the Christian church and are greatly
esteemed in the community as people of genuine worth. Mr. Ulrich belongs
to the Modern Woodmen Camp and to the Mystic Workers, and his attitude
on the temperance question is indicated by the fact that he gives his support
to the prohibition party. He resides at No. 502 Dixon avenue, where he
erected a pleasant home in 1902. His influence is always found on the side
of justice, truth, right and progress, and this is manifest in his social relations
and in his attitude toward public interests as well as in his business career.
D. G. ACKERMAN.
The year 1858 witnessed the arrival of D. G. Ackerman in Whiteside
county but he remained only a short time and returned to his old home in
New Jersey. In 1876, however, he came again and has since resided within
the borders of the county. The place of his nativity was Paterson, New Jersey,
and his natal day February 13, 1832. His parents, Garret and Elizabeth
(Watson) Ackerman, were representatives of old families of New Jersey and
were well known fanning people there. They never left the east and passed
away in New Jersey many years ago.
D. G. Ackerman is the only survivor of the family of five children. He
was reared in the east and has always followed the trade of a mason and builder,
although in early life he was also connected with agricultural interests and of
later years has again taken to farming. He was married first in New Jersey
to Miss Elizabeth Perrine, who died in that state leaving one son, Ira, who
passed away at the age of twenty-two years. For hi- second wife Mr. Acker-
man chose Miss Elizabeth Ackerman, who passed away in New Jersey, leaving
two children. William and Elizabeth, the former now deceased and the latter
the wife of W. C. Wink, a resident of Missouri.
As previously stated, T). G. Ackerman came to Whiteside county in 1858
and here spent the summer but was not then ready to make Illinois his place
of residence and returning to New Jersey there remained until the spring of
1876. He then again came to Illinois and has since made his home here.
On the 4th of November. 1879, he married Mrs. Robert McKay, nee Catherine
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 677
Blue, who was born in Toronto, Canada, August 17, 1839, a daughter of
Donald and Catherine (McFarland) Blue, both of whom were natives of
the highlands of Scotland and on crossing the Atlantic settled in the United
States. Two years later they removed to Toronto, Canada, and in the fall of
1839 came to Illinois, establishing their home in Clyde township, Whiteside
county. Here the father carried on general agricultural pursuits until he
retired. Putting aside business cares, he removed to Morrison, where he lived
for eighteen years. His wife died there at the age of eighty-four years and he
afterward lived for two years again upon the farm prior to his demise, which
occurred in 1890, when he had reached the very remarkable old age of nine-
ty-two years.
Mrs. Ackerman was one of eleven children, of whom four died in in-
fancy, while a brother died at the age of seventeen years and a sister at the
age of eleven. The other six reached years of maturity. Of these Alexander
went to California in 1852, after which he returned to the middle west. In
1858 he started with his brothers, Donald and Charles, for Pike's Peak and
they were lost in one of the severe storms of the plains. Two of them starved
to death but the youngest was found by the Indians and cared for by them.
He afterward came home and is still living. The sisters were : Isabella, who
is the widow of John Brett, a resident of Washington; and Jane, who be-
came the wife of John Wilson, a resident of Clyde township. Both are now
deceased. They had two daughters and three sons, who reside in this county,
while another daughter lives at Freeport, Illinois, and a daughter and son are
residents of Evanston, Illinois.
Mrs. Ackerman is one of the few remaining -pioneer settlers of Whiteside
county. Her people were among the first to locate here when every evidence of
the frontier was to be found. Wild game was to be had in abundance and one
could travel for miles across the prairie without coming to any sign of habita-
tion. Mrs. Ackerman attended the private schools of that early day and was
trained in the duties of the household, thus becoming well qualified to take
charge of a home of her own at the time of her marriage. On the 24th of No-
vember, 1868. she became the wife of Robert McKay, who was born near To-
ronto, Canada, in 1837, and was there reared. He became a resident of Morri-
son in 1859 and entered the blacksmith's shop of Mr. Stocking. He was, thus
employed at his trade until 1867, when he purchased the farm just north of
Malvern which was the home of Mrs. Ackerman until destroyed by fire January
31, 1908. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McKay were born two children: Charles Neil,
who died at the age of ten years; and Donald G., who has taught school and
engaged in the life insurance business but is now following farming. He
married Olive Wink, a native of Whiteside county, and they have four daugh-
ters and a son : Iva May, Mildred L., Gertrude Althea, Catherine Elizabeth
and Donald. The death of Robert McKay occurred in Morrison in the fall
of 1874. Mrs. McKay afterward became the wife of D. G. Ackerman, and to
them was born one son, Garret, who died in 1905, at the age of twenty-six
years.
Mr. Ackerman is a democrat in his political preference, but has never
held political or other office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his
678 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
business affairs and private interests. He was a member of the American
Mechanics and of the Odd Fellows Society. Mrs. Ackerman is a member of
the Dunkard church. He has for more than thirty years resided in the
county, while Mrs. Ackerman is one of the best known pioneer women, and a
representative of one of the oldest families. Their good qualities have gained
them lasting friendships, and the fact that those who have known them long-
est are numbered among their warmest friends is an indication that their
life principles are such as awaken confidence, trust and high regard. They
are now living in Malvern.
ALBERT JUDSON JACKSON.
Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence
to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries, Albert J. Jackson is
prominent. Banking institutions are the heart of the commercial body, indi-
cating the healthfulness of trade, and the bank that follows a safe, conserva-
tive business policy does more to establish public confidence in times of wide-
spread financial depression than anything else. Such a course has the First
National Bank of Morrison followed under the able management of its
cashier and other officers. From its organization Mr. Jackson has served as
cashier and thus occupies a prominent position in financial circles, while in
many other ways, but always quietly and unostentatiously, he has contrib-
uted to the development of the city.
He was born in Knox county, Ohio, May 12, 1837. His father, Na-
thaniel M. Jackson, was a native of New Jersey, born May 20, 1803, and
when a lad accompanied his parents on their removal to Knox county, Ohio.
He was of English ancestry and his grandfather, Benjamin Jackson, served as
a sergeant in a Morris county (N. J.) organization in the Revolutionary
war. He was at Valley Forge during the memorable winter there spent by
the colonial troops and proved his loyalty through the sufferings which he
endured. His son, Ziba Jackson, father of Nathaniel, served as a soldier in
the war of 1812. Nathaniel Jackson was reared to the occupation of farming
and at an early period in the development of Knox county, Ohio, there pur-
chased land, which he transformed into a good farm, bringing it under a
high state of cultivation. He held membership in the Presbyterian church,
took a great interest in the church work and for many years served as one of
its elders. In politics he was originally an old-line whig and afterward be-
came a supporter of the free-soil party, while subsequently he joined the
ranks of the new republican party, formed to prevent the further extension
of slavery. He held a number of township offices and was a man of influ-
ence in the community in which he lived.
On leaving Ohio, Nathaniel Jackson removed to Illinois in 1854, set-
tling on section 18, Mount Pleasant township, Whiteside county, where he
purchased and improved a tract of land. He was associated with others in
laying out the town of Morrison, a part of which was situated on forty acres
LIBRARY
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
LlBHAtir
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 083
of land owned by Mr. Jackson. In his later years he retired from farming
and established his home in Morrison, where he purchased a residence. In
the meantime, however, he had bought a farm at Prairie Center, where he
had lived for about twelve years. At one time he served on the city council
of Morrison and in 1874-5 was mayor of the city, to which he gave a public-
spirited and business-like administration. He died in April, 1890, while his
wife passed away in 1881. She bore the maiden name of Harriet Nightser
and was born in Morris county, New Jersey, July 25, 1811. She came of
Holland Dutch ancestry and was a daughter of John and Abigail Nightssr,
who on leaving the east removed to Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Jackson was celebrated in Knox county of the latter state. Mrs. Jackson held
membership in the Presbyterian church and was a devoted wife and mother.
By her marriage she had four children : Albert J., Aaron Byram, Jeptha N.
and Mitchell L. The second son was the first man who enlisted for service
in the Civil war from Morrison and the first from that place to lay down his
life upon the altar of his country. He enlisted within a half hour after the
news was received that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, becoming a member
of Company G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and died in the hospital at
Holla, Missouri, in October, 1861, at the age of twenty-two years, while serv-
ing as a non-commissioned officer. Jeptha N. Jackson, who was born in
Ohio, October 16, 1843, served as a member of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry,
which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, enlisting first in the one
hundred days' service. - He is now a farmer, living in Union Grove town-
ship. Mitchell L., born October 14, 1851, died in Kansas.
Albert J. Jackson was reared upon his father's farm in Ohio to the age
of twenty years. He acquired his education in the country schools and after-
ward engaged in teaching school for about five months. On attaining his
majority he went into the law office of Joseph Ware at Morrison, Illinois,'
under whose direction he continued his reading for three years. He was
then admitted to the bar in the spring of 1861 and began the practice of law
in Morrison. In 1863 he formed a partnership with Orr F. Woodruff, which
connection was continued for two years. In 1863 he also engaged in the
banking business, establishing a private bank under the firm name of Stiles
& Company. With that institution he was associated until December, 1834,
when Mr. Stiles retired and Mr. Jackson formed a partnership with Leander
Smith, of Fulton, Illinois, under the firm name of L. Smith & Company,
private bankers. This association was maintained until January 28, 1865,
when the First National Bank of Morrison was organized by Leander Smith,
who was its first president, while Mr. Jackson became its first cashier, and
associated with them as directors were Lester H. Robinson, A. Nelson Young,
Willis F. Johnson, Aaron C. Jackson, Charles Spears, William Spears, Win-
field S. Wilkinson, Charles Shirk and James Snyder. The bank was capital-
ized for fifty thousand dollars and in 1871 this was increased to one hundred
thousand dollars. The deposits of the bank for 1865 were thirty-nine thou-
sand two hundred and ninety-four dollars and fifty-one cents and for the
year 1906 were two hundred and sixty-six thousand dollars, a fact which
stands in incontrovertible evidence of the growth and success of the institu-
LiBHAHY
0' iH
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 683
of land owned by Mr. Jackson. In his later years he retired from farming
and established his home in Morrison, where he purchased a residence. In
the meantime, however, he had bought a farm at Prairie Center, where he
had lived for about twelve years. At one time he served on the city council
of Morrison and in 1874-5 was mayor of the city, to which he gave a public-
spirited and business-like administration. He died in April, 1890, while his
wife passed away in 1881. She bore the maiden name of Harriet Nightser
and was born in Morris county, New Jersey, July 25, 1811. She came of
Holland Dutch ancestry and was a daughter of John and Abigail Nightser,
who on leaving the east removed to Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Jackson was celebrated in Knox county of the latter state. Mrs. Jackson held
membership in the Presbyterian church and was a devoted wife and mother.
By her marriage she had four children : Albert J., Aaron Byram, Jeptha N.
and Mitchell L. The second son was the first man who enlisted for service
in the Civil war from Morrison and the first from that place to lay down his
life upon the altar of his country. He enlisted within a half hour after the
news was received that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, becoming a member
of Company G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and died in the hospital at
Holla, Missouri, in October, 1861, at the age of twenty-two years, while serv-
ing as a non-commissioned officer. Jeptha N. Jackson, who was born in
Ohio, October 16, 1843, served as a member of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry,
which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, enlisting first in the one
hundred days' service. He is now a farmer, living in Union Grove town-
ship. Mitchell L., born October 14, 1851, died in Kansas.
Albert J. Jackson was reared upon his father's farm in Ohio to the age
of twenty years. He acquired his education in the country schools and after-
ward engaged in teaching school for about five months. On attaining his
majority he went into the law office of Joseph Ware at Morrison, Illinois,'
under whose direction he continued his reading for three years. He was
then admitted to the bar in the spring of 1861 and began the practice of law
in Morrison. In 1863 he formed a partnership with Orr F. Woodruff, which
connection was continued for two years. In 1863 he also engaged in the
banking business, establishing a private bank under the firm name of Stiles
& Company. With that institution he was associated until December, 1834,
when Mr. Stiles retired and Mr. Jackson formed a partnership with Leander
Smith, of Fulton, Illinois, under the firm name of L. Smith & Company,
private bankers. This association was maintained until January 28, 1865,
when the First National Bank of Morrison was organized by Leander Smith,
who was its first president, while Mr. Jackson became its first cashier, and
associated with them as directors were Lester H. Robinson, A. Nelson Young,
Willis F. Johnson, Aaron C. Jackson, Charles Spears, William Spears, Win-
field S. Wilkinson, Charles Shirk and James Snyder. The bank was capital-
ized for fifty thousand dollars and in 1871 this was increased to one hundred
thousand dollars. The deposits of the bank for 1865 were thirty-nine thou-
sand two hundred and ninety-four dollars and fifty-one cents and for the
year 1906 were two hundred and sixty-six thousand dollars, a fact which
stands in incontrovertible evidence of the growth and success of the institu-
684 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
tion. Mr. Jackson still remains as cashier of the bank and has served contin-
uously as a national bank cashier for a longer period than any other man
in the United States. The First National Bank of Morrison was the first
institution organized under the national banking laws in Whiteside county.
It is one of the conservative and substantial moneyed institutions of this
part of the state and its success is attributable in large measure to the efforts,
the executive ability and the enterprise of Mr. Jackson.
On the 15th of December, 1863, Mr. Jackson was married to Miss Jennie
Quackenbush, who was born in Paterson, New Jersey, January 21, 1843, and
was of Holland Dutch descent. She speaks the language of her ancestors as
well as the English tongue. Her parents were David J. and Ann Quacken-
bush, the former a bricklayer, who came to Illinois in August, 1856, and
located at Morrison, where he spent his remaining days. He was a veteran
of the Civil war, serving as a member of Company B Thirty-fourth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born two sons
and a daughter: Carl, in business in South Dakota; Kittie, at home; and
Pierre, who is a member of the firm of Wilkinson & Company, conducting
an abstract business in Morrison. The wife and mother died October 8, 1906,
and her death was deeply deplored by many friends as well as her immediate
family.
Mr. Jackson is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is
serving as trustee, while in the work of the church he is helpfully interested.
Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and is also a member of the
Bankers' Association of the state and the National Bankers' Association. His
political allegiance is given the democracy and he served as mayor of Mor-
rison in 1876-7. He also filled the office of deputy county treasurer from
1858 to 18'61, inclusive, and after his retirement from that office he enlisted
in July, 1861, for service with the boys in blue in the Civil war, joining Com-
pany A of the Second Illinois Cavalry, with which he continued for a year.
He was elected by his company to the rank of second lieutenant and resigned
in 1862, having been injured by his horse, the result of which unfitted him
for service. He is now a member of Alpheus Clark Post, No. 118, G. A. R.,
and served as its commander in 1900. He is also a member of the Loyal
Legion of the United States and takes an active interest in military affairs
and in his associations with his old army comrades.
CHARLES M. LYTLE.
Charles M. Lytle, manager of the Rock Falls Manufacturing Company
on East Third street in Sterling, belongs to that class of respected and repre-
sentative American men who owe their buiness advancement and prosperity
entirely to their own efforts. Early coming to a realization of the value of
industry and guiding his efforts by sound judgment, he has become a force-
ful factor in business circles and since July, 1905, has occupied his present
position in Sterling.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 685
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Lytle was born in Erie county near the
city of Erie, in July, 1852, his parents being Andrew and Nancy Ann (Mc-
Kay) Lytle, also natives of Erie county. The former was a grandson of John
Lytle, Sr., who came of French Huguenot ancestry, the family being founded
in America at an early day. He served as a captain in the Revolutionary
war and was in charge of Fort Freeland. His son, John Lytle, was born in the
Keystone state and followed farming as a life work. He was the first repre-
sentative in the legislature from the northwestern part of his district, com-
prising at that time what is now Erie, Crawford and Warren counties. Death
came to him suddenly in a runaway accident. His wife, Mrs. Jane (Ander-
son) Lytle, was more than ninety years of age at the time of her demise.
They reared a large family.
The maternal grandfather of Charles M. Lytle was John McKay, who was
born on the borderland of Scotland and on coming to America settled in
Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Later he removed to Erie county, that
state, where he died in middle life. He had followed weaving to provide for
his family. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Long, died at an ad-
vanced age.
Andrew Lytle, father of our subject, was a tanner by trade, conducting a
tannery on his farm near Erie for many years. In his later life he lived
retired, enjoying a well earned rest. In his community he was prominent
and influential, served as collector and assessor, and that he was worthy of the
utmost trust and confidence was indicated by the fact that he was made ad-
ministrator of many estates. He died in 1876 at the age of seventy-two years,
while his wife passed away in 1893 at the age of eighty-five years. They
were both members of the old Scotch Presbyterian church and afterward became
identified with the United Presbyterian church. Their family numbered seven
sons: John, living at Oak Park, near Chicago; James, of Erie county, Penn-
sylvania; Robert, who is assistant postmaster of Decatur. Illinois; George, who
is engaged in the drug business at New Boston, Mercer county, Illinois; Henry,
proprietor of a grocery at Waterford, Pennsylvania: Charles M., of this review;
and Frank, who died when about eight years of age.
Charles M. Lytle was reared in Erie county and attended the old North-
western Academy there but when fifteen years of age started out in life on his
own account and has since been dependent upon his own resources. He began
clerking in a dry-goods and clothing store and followed that pursuit until 1880,
when he came to Illinois and accepted a position as traveling salesman for the
Decatur Furniture Company. Later he entered the office of the Decatur Cof-
fin Company and had charge of the office for twenty years. His ability in that
direction led to his selection for his present position. He came to Sterling in
July, 1905, to accept the position of manager of the Rock Falls Manufacturing
Company, makers of coffins, hearses and all undertakers' supplies. This is a
very important and responsible position, employment being furnished to eigh-
ty-five people, and their goods are sold all over the country. The company .
won a silver medal on its exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St.
Louis in 1904.
686 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
On the 25th of May, 1876. Mr. Lytle was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Frances Thomas, a daughter of W. W. and Mary (Small) Thomas.
They have one daughter, Hortense, now the wife of C. G. Heiby, a resident of
Decatur, and the mother of one child, Frances Jane Heiby. Mrs. Lytle is a
member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Lytle gives his political allegiance to the republican party, being in-
flexible in his support of its principles. He belongs to Macon Lodge, No. 8,
A. F. & A. M., and is prominent in the Odd Fellows society, holding member-
ship in Celestial Lodge, No. 186, I. 0. 0. F. He served as the grand patriarch
in the Grand Encampment of the state of Illinois in 1900 and 1901, and was a
delegate to the sovereign grand sessions of 1901 and 1902. He was also the
first secretary of the Odd Fellows Old Folks' Home at Mattoon, Illinois, and
at present occupies the position of brigade commander of the Second Brigade
of the Patriarchs Militant. He is most highly esteemed by his brethren of
that fraternity, while in business circles he has made for himself a creditable
name by his unfaltering devotion to every duty entrusted to him, combined
with marked ability as a successful manager.
ARTHUR H. HARMS, M. D.
Dr. Arthur H. Harms, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery
with office in the Academy of Music at Sterling, is one of the native sons of
Illinois, his birth having occurred in Dixon on the 22nd of December, 1880.
His parents were Anton W. and Mary S. (Ahrens) Harms, natives of Dixon,
Illinois, and of Oldenburg, Germany, respectively. The paternal grandfather,
Anton W. Harms, was born on the island of Heligoland, north of Germany,
and made farming his life work. Emigrating to America in 1837, he located at
Buffalo. New York, and afterward removed westward to Galena, Illinois. At a
later date he took up his abode at Dixon and there purchased the interests of
Harris and Mason, who had come from the south to establish a plantation.
Upon that place he spent his remaining days and the stone house which he
there built is still standing, one of the landmarks of the community. He was
eighty-nine years of age at the time of his demise, and his wife, Mrs. Anna
(Hector) Harms, was about eighty-six years of age at the time of her death.
They were the parents of five children and by a former marriage the father
also had five children.
Aaron Ahrens, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Harms, was born at
Oldenburg. Germany, and about 1855 came to the United States. He after-
ward returned to his native country, where he lived for several years and in
1868 again made his way to the new world, settling on the present site of
Clinton, Iowa. His next removal brought him to Sterling, where he still
resides at the venerable age of eighty-four years. His wife, Mrs. Gertrude
(Soecker) Ahrens, died a number of years ago at the age of about sixty-seven.
In their family were three sons and one daughter, including Mary S. Ahrens,
who became the wife of Anton W. Harms. Mr. Harms throughout his active
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 687
business life followed the occupation of farming and for many years lived in
Palmyra township, but in 1905 took up his abode in Dixon, where he is now
retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former labor. He has a
good income property in his home farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Both
he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. In their family are
three children: Arthur H., of this review; Herbert W. and Jessie B., both of
Dixon.
Dr. Harms, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the old
homestead farm in Palmyra township, early becoming familiar with the
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the
district schools and the North Dixon high school, from which he was gradu-
ated in 1894. He afterward spent about two years in Steinman Institute at
Dixon prior to entering the University of Chicago, where he pursued a combi-
nation course, devoting a part of his time to scientific branches and the re-
mainder to the study of medicine. He further continued his professional edu-
cation in Eush Medical College and in 1904 located for practice in Sterling,
where he has since remained. He is thoroughly conversant with the most
modern methods of the profession and is continually promoting his efficiency
by study and research. He is now health officer of the city and he belongs to
the Sterling and Rock Falls Physicians' Club, the County and State Medical
Societies and the American Medical Association.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Dr. Harms was married on the
29th of May, 1906, to Miss Alice Ward, a daughter of Judge Henry C. and
Mary (Anthony) Ward. They now have a little son, H. Ward Harms. Dr.
Harms and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and he belongs
to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. Politically he is a republican.
In hid chosen life work he is making continued advancement, his patronage
steadily growing as he gives proof of his ability to cope with the complex prob-
lems that continually confront the physician.
WILLIAM J. BURLEIGH.
William J. Burleigh, manager of the Novelty Iron Works, to which re-
sponsible position he has worked his way upward by his close application,
unfaltering fidelity and biisiness capacity, was born in Boston, Massachusetts,
October 15, 1867. His parents, Jedathan and Elizabeth (Stockwell) Bur-
leigh, were both natives of* New England, the former born in New Hampshire
and the latter in Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather, also a native of
the old Granite state, was of English descent. The maternal grandfather,
born in Massachusetts, likewise ca.me of English ancestry. Jedathan Bur-
leigh was a pattern-maker and followed that business in Boston and other
eastern cities. He died December 3, 1870, at the age of thirty-three years,
and since 1883 his widow has been a resident of Sterling. They had but
two children, the daughter being Lizzie, the wife of John Cline of this city.
The son, William J. Burleigh, spent the first seven years of his life in
his native city, and then went with his parents to Northampton, Massachu-
688 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
setts, where he attended the public schools, acquiring a good English educa-
tion. When his school life was ended he accepted a clerkship in a book
store, remaining in the east until 1883, when he came with his mother to
Sterling. Here he accepted a clerkship in a grocery store, where he continued
for a short time, when he began learning his pattern-making trade, which
he followed for several years. On the expiration of that period he -accepted
the position of shipping clerk in the Novelty Iron Works, and in May, 1903,
was promoted to manager of the company. The product of the factory in-
cludes furnace registers and cold air faces, iron hitching posts, automatic stock
fountains, porcelain lined cylinders for wood and iron pumps, iron trimmings
for wood pumps, plumbers' supplies and gray iron castings of all kinds.
Employment is furnished to about fifty people, and the goods are sold in
all parts of the country. Mr. Burleigh's previous experience and training
in the business world well qualify him for his present position, which he
is now creditably filling. The Novelty Iron Works is one of the oldest manu-
facturing concerns in the city, and has been successful from the beginning,
enjoying a constantly increasing business.
On the 26th of February, 1889, Mr. Burleigh was married to Miss Jessie
Alexander, a daughter of Edward and Ada (Hale) Alexander. There are
two children of this marriage, Russell A. and Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Burleigh
are faithful members of the Congregational church, and are well known so-
cially in the city. Mr. Burleigh has attained high rank in Masonry, belong-
ing to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ; Sterling Chapter, No. 57,
R. A. M. ; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T. ; and is also a thirty-second
degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Noble of Tebala Temple of the Mystic
Shrine. He likewise holds membership relations with the Modern Woodmen
of America, and he gives his political support to the republican party. With-
out special advantages at the outset of his career, he has made good use of
his opportunities and through the sterling worth of his character, combined
with his skill in business, he has worked his way upward until he is now
one of the leading representatives of industrial interests in Sterling.
CHARLES A. DAVIS.
Charles A. Davis, conducting" a successful commercial enterprise as a
dealer in hardware, stoves and furnaces, at No. 32 West Third street, in
Sterling, claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, his birth having
occurred in New Holland, Lancaster county, May 13, 1854. His parents
were Gabriel and Susanna R. (Diller) Davis, likewise natives of the Key-
stone state, and that the family wns established there at an early day is indi-
cated by the fact that Archibald Douglas Davis, the grandfather of our sub-
ject, was also there born. He was of Welsh lineage, devoted his life during
his business career to merchandising and died in early manhood, being sur-
vived by his wife, Julianna Barton (Anderson) Davis. The maternal grand-
father was Jonathan Diller, also a native of Pennsylvania, and of German
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 689
lineage. He wedded Ann Weaver and died when past middle life, while his
widow lived to be nearly eighty years of age. They were the parents of six
children, five of whom reached years of maturity.
Gabriel Davis became a merchant in the east, residing in Pennsylvania
until 1856, when he removed westward to Sterling. Here he lived retired,
enjoying a well earned rest until his death, which occurred January 26, 1880,
at the age of seventy-six years. His wife survived him until October 23,
1907, and had reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years when
she passed away. They were both members of the Protestant Episcopal
church, but in her later life Mrs. Davis became a member of the Presbyterian
church. Mr. Davis served as senior warden in his church and was deeply
interested in all that pertained to the welfare and upbuilding of the com-
munity and to the promotion of its material, social, intellectual and moral
interests. He served as one of the directors of the public schools of Ster-
ling and was one of the founders of the Wallace school. Unto him and his
wife were born seven children, six eons and one daughter, of whom six are
now living: William W. ; Julianna B. ; Gabriel H. ; Isaac Newton, deceased;
E. Diller; Henry L. ; and Charles A.
The last named was reared in Sterling, having been brought to the
middle west by his parents when but two years of age. He attended the
public schools here, and when he entered business life he took his initial
step as a clerk in a hardware store. He thus continued for eight years, during
which time he became thoroughly acquainted with the business, and since
1882 he has conducted a hardware store on bis own account, carrying a
full line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves and furnaces. He has put
forth- earnest effort to please his patrons, and his straightforward business
methods and unwearied industry constitute the basis of his success. In 1894
he built his present business block at the corner of West Third street and
Avenue A. It is a brick structure, two stories and basement, and is one of the
substantial business houses of the city.
In September, 1894, occurred the marriage of Charles A. Davis and Mrs.
Rebecca J. Mack, the widow of George Mack, and a daughter of William
Wilkinson. Mr. and Mrs. Davis belong to the Presbyterian church and the
hospitality of the best homes of the city is freely accorded them, while the
warm greetings extended in their own home makes it a favorite resort with
their many friends.
The name of Charles A. Davis is on the membership rolls of Rock River
Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ; Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. 0. 0. F. ; and the
Knights of the Globe. He is a stalwart republican, and is chairman of the
Whiteside county central committee, of which he has been a member for
several years. He served for several terms as supervisor and has been urged
by his fellow townsmen to become a candidate for the legislature. From its
organization he has been a member of the Sterling Club, and he is interested
in everything that pertains to the welfare and progress of the city. He was
one of the executive committee of six men who planned the fine demonstra-
tion in celebration of the opening of the feeder to the Hennepin canal, on
the 24th of October, 1907. He has been a resident of this city for more than
690 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
half a century, and is one of its best known and most honored men, active in
all that pertains to its public life and its commercial interests. His life has
been actuated by high principles and honorable purposes, and the sterling
qualities of his manhood have made the circle of his friends almost co-exten-
sive with the circle of his acquaintances.
MARTIN BROTHERS.
The firm of Martin Brothers David L. and John W. is well known in
Sterling as dealers in real estate and as representative business men of marked
energy and enterprise. They stand today as a splendid type of the American
citizen who recognizes that there is no royal road to wealth, but that industry,
intelligently applied, will bring success. Starting out in life empty-handed,
they have achieved a measure of prosperity that is indeed creditable, and at
no time has their business career ever presented a narrow phase. On the con-
trary, their methods are such as will bear close investigation and scrutiny,
and their labors have been of the utmost benefit to the city in its substantial
upbuilding and adornment.
Noting something of the family history of the Martin Brothers, it is
found that their paternal grandfather, David Martin, was a native of Penn-
sylvania and of German descent. He followed the occupation of farming,
living in Martinsburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, where he died when
more than eighty years of age. His wife in her maidenhood was Miss Long,
and she, too, was about eighty years of age when called to her final rest. They
had a large family of four sons and ten daughters, including John Martin,
our subjects' father, who was a native of Pennsylvania. He, too, carried on
general agricultural pursuits, and in 1857 came to Illinois, settling at Ster-
ling, where he lived retired, save for the supervision which he gave to his
invested interests. He owned a number of farms and displayed remarkable
sagacity and enterprise in the purchase and sale of farm property. In early
manhood he wedded Catharine Hoover, also a native of the Keystone state
and a daughter of Samuel Hoover, likewise born in Pennsylvania but of
German descent. Samuel Hoover was a farmer by occupation and in 1855
removed westward to Illinois, establishing his home in Sterling. Soon after-
ward he began making investments in land in this part of the state and
became the owner of several good tracts, together with some city property.
He died here in 1859 at the age of sixty-six years. His wife was Mrs. Eliza-
beth (Sprecher) Hoover. In her family were five sons and five daughters,
including Catharine Hoover, who gave her hand in marriage to John Martin.
She died in July, 1863, at the age of forty-three years and six months, pass-
ing away in the faith of the Methodist church. John Martin, who was a
Lutheran in religious belief, survived his wife until May 16, 1896, dying at
the age of eighty-two years, one month and twenty-nine days. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. John Martin were born seven children, five sons and two daughters, four
of whom are now living, the other three having died in infancy : Joseph S.,
LlBHAHt
(tt IHfc
OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 693
Jennie, David L. and John W. The daughter Jennie is the wife of W. M.
Dillon.
David L. Martin, the senior partner of the firm of Martin Brothers, was
born near Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, in Blair county, September 12, 1849,
and was about eight years of age when he came to Illinois with his parents.
Here he was reared to manhood and has since lived in Sterling. He attended
the public schools and afterward pursued a commercial course in Eastman's
Business College. Returning to Sterling, he began work for John H. Snavely
in the furniture business and was in his employ at different intervals for a
number of years. Later he engaged in the sewing machine business on his
own account, and about 1897 formed a partnership with his brother John
for the conduct of a real-estate business, since which time they have engaged
in buying and selling property.
John W. Martin was born in Sterling, April 26, 1859, and has spent his
entire life here. He attended the public schools until his fifteenth year, and
at the age of seventeen he began buying cattle, following that business for
some time. Later he was in partnership with S. F. Gleason and they con-
tinued together for several years, after which Mr. Martin joined his brother
in the real estate business. They have 'been very successful and now own
about two thousand acres of land in the vicinity of Sterling and about one
hundred and twenty acres in the city, which has been platted into town lots,
besides other lots in all parts of Sterling. They also have about three thou-
sand acres in western states. They buy and sell outright and are conducting
an extensive and profitable real-estate business. They have purchased consid-
erable old property, have remodeled business blocks and transformed them
into attractive modern buildings. They have laid out several additions to the
city, which they have improved in keeping with twentieth century ideas of
city development, laying sidewalks, planting trees and doing other work
which contributes to the substantial upbuilding and beautifying of the place.
In connection with what they have done in Sterling they have laid out an
addition in Rock Falls. They have the confidence and high esteem of the
citizens of Sterling, and are well known over the country. Their word is
good wherever they are known, for in all business dealings they have been
thoroughly reliable and straightforward. Moreover, they are energetic men,
carrying forward well-defined plans to successful execution.
The Martin brothers take a great interest in the welfare of the city of
Sterling, and have spent much money in assisting to beautify, improve and
upbuild it. Their public-spirited devotion finds tangible evidence in many
public improvements and in stock which they own in various business enter-
-prises. Movements which are projected for the welfare of the city receive
their endorsement and cooperation, and their work has been of much value.
Their contributions have been most generous toward different public enter-
prises, and their opinions prove an influential factor in matters of moment
to Sterling. They have gained for themselves a most creditable name and
place in the business world, and upon realty values their views are largely
received as conclusive. But while developing prosperous business, they have
never concentrated their energies upon individual concerns to the exclusion
694 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
of outside interests, but on the contrary have worked toward the upbuilding
of a greater Sterling, generously supporting all that tends to public benefit.
Without invidious distinction they may be classed with the foremost citizens
of Whiteside county.
HENRY M. DETWEILER.
Henry M. Detweiler, who carries on general farming on section 14,
Jordan township, is one of the native sons of Ohio, his birth having oc-
curred in that .state on the 26th of October, 1835. He has, therefore, passed
the seventy-second milestone on life's journey, and his has been an active and
honorable career, in which unfaltering diligence has been followed by suc-
cess.
His parents, Joseph and Mary (Myers) Detweiler, were natives of Bucks
county, Pennsylvania. Little is known concerning the ancestral history of
the family save that the grandparents of Mr. Detweiler, in both the paternal
and maternal lines, were natives of the Keystone state, and the maternal grand-
father bore the name of William Myers. It was in 1821 that Joseph Det-
weiler removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, the journey being made with
one four-horse team and one two-horse team, and on reaching his destination
he unloaded his goods under a big oak tree in the deep woods. Shortly after- i
ward he purchased three hundred acres of timber land, which he at once began
to clear and cultivate. Both he and his wife died in Ohio, where they had
long resided as worthy and respected farming people. The only survivors
of their family of nine children are Henry M., of this review; and Abraham, !
who is now residing in Maryland. Those deceased are: William, wh6 died
in California; Sarah, who married Louis Yoder and died in Ohio; Samuel j
and Mary, who both died in that state; Joseph, who died near Freeport, Illi-
nois; Hannah, who married Abraham Blosser and died in Ohio; and Eli, j
who also died in the Buckeye state.
Under the parental roof Henry M. Detweiler spent his boyhood, and
lessons of industry and integrity were early impressed upon his mind. He
acquainted himself with the best methods of carrying on the farm work, and
thus brought practical experience to his duties when he began farming in this
county, coming here from Ohio in 1860.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Detweiler chose
Miss Magdalena G. Detweiler, whose parents spent their entire lives in Bucks
county, Pennsylvania. She was also born in the Keystone state, and on the
21st of December, 1861, gave her hand in marriage to the subject of this re-
view. Six children have been born to them, all of whom are yet living,
namely: William D., who is the owner of a general store in Penrose, Illi-
nois; Eliza J., wife of Martin Book, a farmer of Lee county; Amelia, the wife
of Es*on Waite, a farmer residing in Jordan township, Whiteside county;
Frank, a farmer living across the road from his father; Maggie, the wife of
T. H. LeFevre, a farmer living in South Dakota; and Uriah, a telegraph
operator at Conrad, Indiana,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 695
When Mr. Detweiler first settled in Jordan township, in 1860, he be-
came the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich land, which was,
however, but slightly improved at that time. Possessing energy and ambi-
tion, he resolved to increase his holdings, and after some years added to the
original purchase. He is now the owner of three hundred and forty-nine
acres, all in one body and constituting one of the finest farms of the county.
In its midst stands a comfortable and commodious residence, together with
large, barns and outbuildings, and everything is kept in a state of good re-
pair. Fences divide the farm into fields of convenient size and the latest
improved machinery is vised in carrying on the work of the fields. He also
has good buildings for his tenants and his farm is one of the model proper-
ties of the twentieth century in Whiteside county.
Mr. Detweiler has long been a stanch republican, inflexible in his sup-
port of the principles of the party. Mr. Detweiler is numbered among the
most respected citizens of Jordan township, for there have been no chapters in
his life history that are not worthy of respect and good will. He has en-
deavored to live peaceably with his fellowmen, to recognize the rights and
privileges of others, and as the years have passed he has achieved a measure
of success that indicates his unfaltering diligence in business affairs.
H. A. REYNOLDS.
II. A. Reynolds is numbered among the substantial citizens of White-
side county, owning a valuable property comprising two hundred and thirty-
five acres, situated on sections 1 and 2, Mount Pleasant township, which is
now being operated by his two sons, M. W. and C. F. Reynolds. Mr. Rey-
nolds was born in Rutland county, Vermont, January 14, 1836, a son of
Raymond A. and Nancy B. (Wentworth) Reynolds, who, in 1855, removed
from the east to this state, making a settlement in Kane county, where they
lived for two years, subsequent to which time they settled in Whiteside
county on the farm which is now the home of our subject. In his later
years the father retired from agricultural life and removed to Unionville,
where his death occurred in 1885, when he had reached the age of seventy-
five years, while his wife survived for about two years, passing away in 1887
at about the same age. The father gave his political support to the demo-
cratic party, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church. The two daughters of the family are also deceased.
Mrs. Clark Fisk, who made her home in Whiteside county throughout a long
period had a son, Hon. Charles J. Fisk, who is now a supreme judge of
North Dakota, making his home in Grand Forks. The other daughter was
Mrs. Almon W. Champlin, whose husband was formerly identified with the
agricultural life of Mount Pleasant township, but now resides in Clinton.
Their two sons are prominent horse dealers of Clinton.
H. A. Reynolds, the only survivor of his father's family, was reared in
Vermont and there acquired his education in the village schools. He also
696 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
assisted his father in his blacksmith shop during the period of his youth, but
since coming to Whiteside county has always been connected with farming
interests. He was very successful in his undertakings, and although his place
at first comprised but seventy-five acres, he has increased its boundaries until
he now owns two hundred and thirty-five acres, all of which is under a good
state of cultivation and is improved with modern and substantial residence
and outbuildings. He is now practically living retired, the farm being con-
ducted by his two eons.
Mr. Reynolds was married at his present home to Miss Mary E. Rey-
nolds, the wedding ceremony being performed on the 1st of January, 1862.
Mrs. Reynolds was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Philip and Nancy
(Fisk) Reynolds, who settled in Whiteside county about the same time that
the parents of our subject located here. Unto our subject and his wife have
been born three children, but one died in infancy, the surviving members
being : Martin W., who wedded Emily C. Hammer, by whom he has a daugh-
ter, Edna Mae, and who makes his home with our subject; and Charles F.,
who was married to Miss Lillie A. James, who died about four years ago,
leaving four daughters, Mabel, Pauline, Myrtle and Gladys. For his second
wife Charles F. Reynolds chose Mrs. Margaret (Norrish) Houghtaling.
Mr. Reynolds gives his political support to the democratic party where na-
tional issues are involved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. In
former years he worked industriously and energetically and his efforts were
richly rewarded, so that now, at the age of seventy-two years, he is enabled
to live retired in his pleasant country home, surrounded by many warm
friends, who esteem him highly for his genuine personal worth.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HENDRICKS.
Benjamin Franklin Hendricks, of Morrison, serving for the third term
as county superintendent of schools of Whiteside county, and recognized
as one of the able educators of this section of the state, is a native of Pennsyl-
vania, his birth having occurred in Lancaster county in 1851. His father,
Ephraim D. Hendricks, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and
was of Holland Dutch lineage. In early life he learned and followed the
tailor's trade, and after his removal to Illinois, in 1851, he located on a farm
in Sterling township, Whiteside county, where he carried on general agri-
cultural pursuits until 1864. In that year he went to southern Illinois, where
he spent a few years as an agriculturist, and afterward again located in Ster-
ling township, where he followed farming until his removal to Kansas.
His last days were spent in that state, his death occurring in 1904. He was
an energetic farmer and in all of his business dealings was straightforward
and reliable, so that he commanded the confidence and trust of his fellow-
men to an unusual degree. He held membership in the Reformed Men-
nonite church. Ephraim Hendricks was united in marriage to Miss Mary
Rosenberger, who was of German lineage. She, too, belonged to the Re-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 697
formed Mennonite church, and died in that faith. In their family were five
children: Allen R., a druggist of Sterling; Benjamin Franklin, of this re-
view; Jacob R., who passed away early in life; John R., who is a musician
residing in Smithville, Arkansas; and Charles R., an agriculturist living
near Cawker City, Kansas.
Benjamin F. Hendricks was reared in the usual manner of farm lads
and supplemented his early education, acquired in the common schools, by
study in the Sterling high school. He began teaching in 1870, when a young
man of nineteen years, and has since followed that profession with the ex-
ception of one year, which was devoted to rest and recreation. He proved
most capable in his work in the schoolroom, imparting clearly, concisely and
readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired, and in 1877 he re-
ceived a state certificate. He has been connected with the schools of Sterling,
Erie, Rock Falls and Savanna. He is now serving for the fourth term as
county superintendent of schools, having first been elected to the office in
1882 for a four years' term and re-elected in 1886. He continued in the
office until 1889, when he resigned to accept the superintendency of the
schools of Savanna, Illinois, where he remained for eight years, the educa-
tional system there receiving marked impetus by reason of his practical and
progressive ideas and labors. He then returned to Whiteside county and
was re-elected county superintendent in 1902, since which time he has filled
the office. He is alert and enterprising, constantly studying out new methods
for the benefit of the schools and introducing ideas, the practical utility of
which have been proven in the excellent results that have followed.
Professor Hendricks was married in 1876 to Miss Lillian E. Peck, who
was born in Portage county, Ohio, in 1854. They had four children: Earl
L., a physician of Lanark, Illinois, who is married and has one child; Clyde
P., a dentist of Kalkaska, Michigan, also married; Hazel D., who is attend-
ing Normal school at DeKalb; and Paul M., twin brother of Hazel, who died
when but two years of age. The parents are members of the Presbyterian
church, in the work of which they are deeply interested. Fraternally he is
connected with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, while
his political allegiance is given to the republican party. In the field of his
chosen profession he has made constant progress and has gained a place of
distinctive prominence as an educator of this part of the state.
WILLIAM II. SHAW.
William H. Shaw, a farm hand in his early youth, is now conducting
a successful business in grain and coal in Lyndon, where he owns and oper-
ates a large elevator. He was born in Tioga county, New York, August 21,
1850, but ihe following year was brought to Lyndon township, Whiteside
county, with his parents, Henry B. and Rosina W. (Newton) Shaw. His
paternal grandparents were William and Betsy (Talmage) Shaw, natives of
Saratoga county, New York, where their entire lives were passed. The
698 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
mother was an own cousin of l)r. DeWitt Talmage, the noted divine, and
was a daughter of Enos Talmage, who served for seven years in the patriot
army in the Revolutionary war. William Shaw had a brother who was
judge of the circuit court of Saratoga county, and he was the third in a
family of four sons. The eldest brother, Thomas Shaw, had a family of
twelve sons and one daughter. The second brother, Robert Shaw, became a
resident of New Jersey, and the youngest was William Shaw, grandfather of
.our subject. All, however, are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William
Shaw were born five children: Lucy, deceased; Elizabeth; William T., who
has also passed away ; Henry B. ; and Mary, deceased.
Henry B. Shaw was born in Tioga county, New York, November 12,
1826, and resided in his native county until 1850, when he came to the middle
west and has since resided in Whiteside county. He was reared on a farm
and after coming to Illinois purchased and secured land. His father had
been a carpenter by trade, and Henry Shaw learned that business under his
direction, but following his removal to the west, he turned his attention to
agricultural pursuits and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land at
the bend in Lyndon township. This he improved, but after a time sold eighty
acres, and later disposed of the remaining eighty acres. He then again en-
gaged in carpentering. He brought some money with him on his removal
from New York, but lost most of his property through the illness of his wife,
which brought on heavy expenses. He then took up his trade and was
identified with building operations in the county until he enlisted for service
in the Civil war, on the 14th of August, 1862, becoming a member of Com-
pany B, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He then took part in
the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Look-
out Mountain. Later he was transferred to the First United States Engineer
Corps and saw no more fighting, but did equally valiant service for his coun-
try during the succeeding eighteen months. After being with the engineers
for about two weeks he was commissioned artificer and continued in that posi-
tion until the close of the war, being honorably discharged July 3, 1865.
When the country no longer needed his aid at the front Henry B. Shaw
returned home and worked at his trade as long as he was able, being a well
known representative of building operations in Lyndon and the' surrounding
districts. His early political support was given to the democracy, but on the
organization of the republican party he joined its ranks, and has since sup-
ported the candidates at the head of its ticket with two exceptions, when he
voted the greenback ticket. He is a valued member of Orson K. Hubbard
Post, No. 749, G. A. R. of Lyndon, and is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. His life has been characterized by industry and activity, and in
all things he has been guided by honorable principles. He was married on the
7th of February, 1846, to Miss Rosiria W. Newton, who was born in Chenango
county, New York, February 29, 1828, a daughter of Moses and Mehitable
(Burlingame) Newton, whose family numbered twelve children, all of whom
were professional people with the exception of Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Shaw came i
to this county in 1850, and his wife joined him in 1851. Thus far more than
a half century they have resided in the county and have witnessed the greater
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 699
part of its development. They have lived together longer than any married
couple in Whiteside county, having traveled life's journey as man and wife
for sixty-three years. Their family numbered five children: Sophia, now
the wife of J. F. Brumbley, of Lyndon; William H., of this review; Ida A.,
the wife of Jesse Troop, of Sterling; Clair V"., who is living in Hume town-
ship; and Lily, deceased.
William H. Shaw, whose name introduces this record, spent the days of
his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, and from an early age has been
dependent entirely upon his own resources. When but a boy he began earn-
ing his own living by working as a farm hand, his father being away from
home as a soldier in the Civil war. William H. Shaw continued his labors
in the fields in the employ of others for six years, but was ambitious to en-
gage in farming on his own account arid, carefully saving his earnings, at
length purchased one hundred and seventy acres of land on sections 17, 19
and 20, Lyndon township. With characteristic energy he began to cultivate
and improve the fields, which he brought to a high state of fertility, so that
he annually marketed good harvests. In 1890, however, he retired from the
farm and took up his abode in Lyndon, where he established his present busi-
ness as a dealer in grain and coal. The new enterprise proved profitable, and
in 1902 he built a large elevator with a capacity of twelve thousand bushels.
In addition to his elevator property, he owns several houses and lots and a
business building in Lyndon, which stand as monuments to his ability and
enterprise and are tangible proof of his unwearied diligence.
In his political views Mr. Shaw is a stalwart republican, and his fellow
townsmen have called him to a number of positions of public honor and
trust. He has been school treasurer for the past fifteen years, and was as-
sessor of his township for one term. Interested in the moral development
of his community, he is an active and faithful member of the Congregational
church, in which he is serving as deacon. His fraternal relations are with
the Masonic lodge. No. 750, of which he is a past master, the Modern
Woodmen of America and the Mystics. Almost his entire life has been
passed in this county, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are
those who have known him from his boyhood to the present is an indication
that his has been an honorable career, well meriting the confidence and es-
teem of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
M. H. GLEASON.
M. H. Gleason, who is well known as a raiser of full blooded Hereford
cattle and as a successful general agriculturist, who now owns and cultivates
two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 25 and 36, Montmorency
township, is one of the worthy citizens that the Emerald isle has furnished to
Whiteside county. His birth occurred in Ireland on the 24th of March,
1867, and after spending the first thirteen years of his life in his native
country he came to America with his mother in 1880. They had heard fa-
700 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
vorable reports concerning the opportunities here offered and, attracted
thereby, sailed for the United States, becoming residents of Whiteside county.
The father and one sister died in Ireland. The mother's death occurred in
1907. In the family are seven living children : T. P., who is now in South
Africa; John, a resident of Sterling; .1. P., who is living in Seattle, Wash-
ington; M. H., of this review; Mary, the wife of James Rourk, of Sterling;
"W. H., also living in Sterling; and Catherine, the wife of John Daley, whose
home is in Freeport, Illinois. One daughter, Nora, is deceased.
M. H. Gleason remained at home with his mother until age proclaimed
him a man grown, with all the responsibilities and duties of citizenship. He
then started out in life for himself, and the occupation to which he was
reared he determined to make his work. He rented a farm for five years,
and during that time carefully saved his earnings until he felt justified in
making purchase of two hundred and forty acres of 'land on sections 25 and
36, Montmorency township. He at once began its further development and
improvement, and now has a fine farm, well equipped with good buildings
and all modern machinery for facilitating the work of the fields. He like-
wise makes a specialty of raising full blooded Hereford cattle, owning some
of the best blooded cattle to be found in the county.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Gleason was married, in 1896,
to Miss Anna M. Miller, and unto them were born seven children: Mary
Irene, Clarence J., Edward, F. Lester, Walter L., John C. and Howard H.
The parents are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Gleason has served
as school director for ten years, and believes in providing good educational
privileges to equip the young for life's practical and responsible duties. He
also filled the office of justice of the peace, and his decisions were strictly fair
and impartial. He is not allied with any political party, supporting men and
measures rather than a political organization, and standing stanchly in de-
fense of whatever he believes to be for the public welfare.
GEORGE W. CHAMBERLAIN.
George W. Chamberlain was the eldest of four children, the others being
farmer and stock-raiser of Lyndon township, passed away on the 3d of May,
1900. He was born in Monterey, Steuben county, ,New York, January 30,
1835, a son of Jason and Mary (Goodrich) Chamberlain, who were natives
of Worcester county, Massachusetts, their early life being spent in Petersham.
Reared and married in that state, they afterward went to New York and in
1857 the father arrived in Whiteside county, Illinois, the mother having
died in the Empire state. Mr. Chamberlain was married a second time and
carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death in 1880.
George W. Chamberlain was the eldest of four children, the others being
Mrs. Mary Cole, a resident of Osage, Iowa ; Sylvester, who is living at Amboy,
Illinois; and Lucy Loring, deceased. Until twenty-one years of age George
W. Chamberlain remained in the Empire state and then came alone to the
middle west in 1856, being joined the following year by _ his parents. He
GEORGE W . CHAMBERLAIN
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 703
settled first in Hopkins township, where he resided until 1884, identified
with the agricultural interests of this .part of the state. In that year he went
to South Dakota with his family and settled in McPherson county, where
he owned and controlled extensive farming interests, spending twelve years
in the northwest. In 1896 he returned to this county and took up his abode
in Lyndon township, where he continued to reside until his life's labors were
ended in death, on the 4th of May, 1900. He left an estate there of three
hundred acres, the farm lying on sections 13 and 14, Lyndon township.
While carrying on his farm he made a study of the feeding and raising of
cattle and horses and his business interests were carefully and successfully
managed.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Chamberlain, his sympathies thor-
oughly aroused in behalf of the Union, enlisted in August, 1861, as a mem-
ber of Company A, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He took part
in fourteen important battles and also the siege of Vicksburg. He was never
wounded nor in the hospital, but was always found at his post of duty, taking
part in long, hard marches as well as in battles, or serving his turn on the
lonely picket line. He continued at the front for several months after the
cessation of hostilities, being mustered out in December, 1865. He after-
ward became a member of the Grand Army Post in South Dakota and thus
maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades. While living
in that section of the country he was also an active factor in political circles.
From the time when age conferred upon him the right of franchise he gave
unfaltering allegiance to the republican party, and while in the northwest
served as president of the board of supervisors of McPherson county, filled
other positions and was frequently chosen as a delegate to the party conven-
tions. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree.
On the contrary he was as loyal in citizenship as when he followed the old
flag on southern battlefields and was equally faithful to 'the obligations which
devolved upon him.
It was not long after his return from the war that Mr. Chamberlain was
married in 1867 to Miss Olive Roe, who was born in Sharon township, Rich-
land county, Ohio, June 22, 1841, and in 1864 came with her parents to
Whiteside county, the family home being established in Lyndon township.
Mrs. Chamberlain is a daughter of Thomas and Curcurence (Orton) Cham-
berlain, the former a native of Richland county, Ohio, and the latter of
Monroe county, New York. They were married in the Buckeye state and
from 1864 continued residents of Whiteside county until called to their
final rest, the father at the age of seventy-three years, the mother at the age
of sixty-seven. She was of Connecticut parentage, while Mr. Roe's people
came from Orange county, New York. His grandfather, Thomas Roe, was a
soldier of the American army in the Revolutionary war and, being cap-
tured, was sent as a prisoner to England, where he remained for a year. His
son Thomas served in the war of 1'812 under General William Henry Harri-
son. Unto Thomas and Curcurence Roe were born four children : Mrs.
Chamberlain: Margaret Jane, the wife of Henry Wilser, of Lyndon town-
704 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ship; Oliver O., a resident of Dayton, Washington; and Joseph, who is living
in Topeka, Kansas.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain was blessed with a daughter
and two sons. The elder son, George Howard, born in Lyndon township, in
1872, is living on the old homestead and Orton Jason is also in the same
township. The daughter, Lilly Mary, died at the age of two years. The
death of the husband and father occurred May 3, 1900, and the county
thereby lost a valued citizen, one who in a substantial measure contributed
to the agricultural development of his part of the county. He belonged to
that class of men who owe their advancement and success to their own
efforts and as the architect of his own fortunes he builded wiselv and well.
WILLIAM P. BENSON.
Among the enterprises which have gained for Sterling industrial and
commercial prominence is that conducted under the name of the National
Manufacturing Company, and as president of this company William P. Ben-
son is widely and favorably known. He was born in Chicago, March 27,
1869, and is of Swedish descent, his ancestors having lived in Sweden for
many generations. His paternal grandfather spent his entire life there,
reaching the age of about seventy years. His son. John Benson, was born
in Sweden, and followed the occupation of farming in that country. At-
tracted by the excellent business opportunities of the new world, he bade
adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States in 1866,
his destination being Chicago. In that city he followed the cabinet-making
trade for a time, but is now a purchasing agent. In 1870 he removed to
Sterling, where he resided for twenty-one years, or until 1891, when he re-
turned to the metropolis by the lake, and is still living there. Both he and his
wife are members of the Congregational church. Their family numbered
four children, a son and three daughters, but Anna, the second daughter, is
now deceased. The others are: William P., of this review; and Ida C. and
Alma, both of Chicago.
In taking up the personal history of William P. Benson we present to
our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known here,
for he was only about a year old when brought by his parents to Sterling.
When he had attained the usual age he entered the public schools, therein
pursuing his studies for seven years. At the early age of thirteen, however,
he started out in life on his own account, and whatever success he has since
achieved or enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own labors. He began
work in the factory of the Novelty Manufacturing Company, and his trust-
worthiness and capability led to his retention in that service until he was
nineteen years of age. He completed his education in the night school.
At the age of nineteen Mr. Benson entered the employ of Lawrence
Brothers as bookkeeper, continuing with them in the office and also as trav-
eling salesman, from 1889 until 1901. He then resigned his position and
organized the National Manufacturing Company for the purpose of manu-
facturing builders' hardware. That the enterprise has proved prosperous and
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 705
has become one of the foremost industrial interests of Sterling is indicated
by the fact that they now employ ninety workmen. They have recently
erected a new factory building, their first building having been a two-story
structure, fifty by seventy feet. Later they put up additions thereto, and in
1907 they erected a fine brick factory, one hundred by one shundred and
seven feet and three stories in height, with a boiler and engine room, forty-
six by twenty-six feet. This is in a separate one-story building. Their office
building adjoins the factory on the corner of Wallace street and First avenue.
They sell their goods in all parts of the United States and Canada, and that
the output finds favor with the public is indicated by the large trade they
now receive. The officers of the company are: W. P. Benson, president; L.
A. Bittorf, secretary; and H. V. Bittorf, vice-president and treasurer. All
are men of good business ability and commercial enterprise, and their well
directed labors have resulted in most gratifying success.
In 1900 Mr. Benson erected an attractive residence at No. 1007 Penning-
ton avenue, where he and his family now reside. He was married on the
12th of October, 1893, to Miss Alice W. Manning, a daughter of Adam V.
and Elizabeth (Hutchison) Manning. Thev have two sons, Merrill M. and
Keith W.
The parents are members of the Congregational church, active and help-
ful in its work, and Mr. Benson is a member of its prudential committee.
Interested in all that tends to elevate mankind and promote the moral pro-
gress of the race, he is connected with the Young Men's Christian Association,
of which he is now serving as a director. He is likewise a director of the
Galt-Brookfield Hospital, and a spirit of benevolence is indicated in his rela-
tions with Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ; Sterling Chapter, No.
57, R. A. M. ; and Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T. His political en-
dorsement is given the republican party. In business life Mr. Benson has
won the somewhat hackneyed but altogether expressive title of a self-made
man, for from early youth he has depended upon his own resources, his
energy and perseverance overcoming obstacles and competition until he is
now at the head of an important and profitable industrial enterprise of
Sterling.
NATHAN COLE WARNER.
Nathan Cole Warner, a well known and valued resident of Prophetstown,
was born in this village January 22, 1856, and has always resided here. He
was named after Nathan Cole, a millionaire ex-mayor of St. Louis, and a
warm personal friend of his father. A. J. Warner, the grandfather, was a
native of Springfield, Massachusetts, born in 1787, and in 1806 he removed
to Missouri, which only three years before had been purchased from the
French and was still largely inhabited by French settlers. Jabez Warner
took up his abode near St. Louis, and during his residence there was promi-
nent in public affairs, serving as probate judge and a sheriff of St. Louis
706 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
county. Having in early life learned the cooper's trade he established and
successfully conducted an extensive cooperage business in St. Louis, making
flour barrels for the mills of that city. When the news of the victory of
the Americans over the British at New Orleans, on the 8th of January, 1815,
reached St. Louis, Mr. Warner lost his right arm while assisting in firing a
salute in celebration of the triumph. He was lieutenant during the second
war with England, and with his company made a trip up the Mississippi
river to keep the Indians in subjection. During this expedition the captain
of the company was wounded and soon afterward died, leaving the troops in
command of Lieutenant Warner. In his home county, where he was widely
known, Jabez Warner was regarded as a man of clear judgment, of un-
swerving integrity and great kindness of heart, qualities which won him high
and uniform esteem. In 1811 he married Elizabeth Conner, who was born
in Clarkston, South Carolina, in 1794. He died in 1847 and was long sur-
vived by his wife. Their children were: John H. ; Mary E., the wife of
Job Dodge; Elias Burchard; Andrew J. ; Sarah C., the wife of Silas Sears;
Edward B. ; Eliza A., the wife of Andrew J. Tuller; Morton P.; and Ellen M.,
the wife of B. H. Bacon.
Andrew Jackson Warner, the father of our subject, came to this county
at the age of fourteen years, in 1837, making the journey with his father,
Jabez Warner, on a flat boat. He always remained in this district and be-
came prominent in community affairs. He was engaged in merchandising
with Andrew J. Ford from 1849 until 1851, and for several years was part
owner of a plow factory and sawmill in Prophetstown. In 1862 he was
appointed assistant United States revenue assessor, and in 1865 was promoted
to the office of revenue assessor for the third congressional district, retaining
the position until 1873. He also filled various township offices, and for sev-
eral terms was president of the board of trustees of Prophetstown. His po-
litical allegiance was given to the republican party, and he was one of the
stalwart workers in its ranks. Aside from his commercial interests, he was
one of the original promoters of the First National Bank of Prophetstown,
and became one of its directors. He likewise engaged in loaning money, and
was an extensive property owner here up to the time of his death, which oc-
curred when he was seventy-two years of age. In early manhood he married
Elvira Rowe, who died at the age of thirty-five years, and the father after-
ward married Mrs. Eliza M. Woodard, the widow of Oscar Woodard. Of the
five children of his first marriage, two died in infancy, the others being:
Florence, the deceased wife of Dr. Mosher; Nathan Cole; and George E., a
prosperous farmer living west of Prophetstown. By the second marriage there
were two children: Charles J., who is conducting the Citizens' Bank in
Prophetstown ; and Agnes E., the wife of A. S. Greene, a hardware merchant
of Prophetstown.
Nathan Cole Warner entered the public schools at the usual age, and
pursued his studies to the age of twenty, when he entered upon his business
career, accepting a position as clerk in the First National Bank. He thus
served for about two years, after which he removed to his farm of one hun-
dred and sixty acres on section 1. Prophetstown township. There he made
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 707
his home for eighteen years, carefully conducting the place and bringing
the fields under a high state of cultivation. He still retains the ownership of
this farm, but in the fall of 1899 again took up his residence' in the town,
where he began dealing in poultry and ice. He has built up an extensive
trade in this connection and the business is increasing, year by year, having
from the first proved a profitable enterprise.
In 1879 Mr. Warner was married to Miss II. Euphemia Dias, a native
of Indiana, who came to Illinois with her parents about forty years ago.
Her father, Edward Dias, died of typhoid fever about two weeks after his
arrival here, leaving the children to the care of his widow. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Warner have been born a son and daughter: Harry Jackson, who is a
graduate of the Illinois State university, and is now assistant chemist in the
employ of the government at Wiishington, D. C. ; and Florence, who is also a
graduate of the State University, and is now assistant librarian at the State
Agricultural College library in Manhattan. Kansas.
Mr. Warner is now a commissioner of the union special drainage dis-
trict, comprising the townships of Prophetstown, Tampico and Hume, and
also extending into Lee county, embracing over fifty thousand acres in the
district. He was re-elected in the fall of 1907 for a second term of three
years. In this position he is doing much to drain the bad lands .of the
county and render the soil fertile and productive. His political allegiance
has always been given to the republican party, and he has never faltered in
his support thereof, for he believes its platform contains the best elements of
good government. He represents one of the oldest families of the county,
and this alone would entitle him to mention in this volume, but his per-
sonal characteristics also make him worthy of a place in the history of his
community. He is known as a dependable man in every relation and in
emergency. He is eminently a man of business sense, who easily avoids the
mistakes and disasters that come to others, and while a man of well-balanced
mind, even temper and conservative habit, he is never lacking in that enter-
prise which leads to the accomplishment of its purpose.
WALTER V. PARKER.
Walter V. Parker, who is one of the successful stockmen in Whiteside
county, was born in Garden Plain township, April 19, 1856, his parents
being Truman and Emma (James) Parker, who came to this county in
1836, settling in Parker's Grove, in the southeast portion of the county, on
section 25. The death of the father occurred April 11, 1887, when he had
attained the age of seventy-one years, while his wife died January 30, 1889,
at the age of sixty-one years. Their family numbered three children: Ella
L., the wife of Perry A. Willis, of Port Byron, Illinois; Walter V., of this
review; and Arthur T., of East St. Louis, Illinois.
Walter V. Parker received his education in the schools of his home
locality, and when he had attained his majority engaged in farming on^hia
708 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
father's land, at the same time carrying on the business of buying and ship-
ping stock, which he has followed with gratifying success to the present time.
He owns two well improved farms in Garden Plain township, aggregating
some three hundred acres, and his prosperity has come to him entirely
through his well directed labor and enterprise since starting out in life on
his own account. He is widely recognized as one of the most successful
stockmen of the county, and as a citizen who.se business methods have ever
been thoroughly honorable, straightforward and reliable.
On the loth of January, 1884, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to
Miss Emma L. Knapp, a daughter of C. S. and Henrietta (Armstrong)
Knapp. The father came here in 1848, and the mother in 1849, being one
of the oldest families in the county. The father, whose birth occurred at
Mooers, Clinton county, JSTew York, January 4, 1824, passed away in Garden
Plain, Whiteside county, Illinois, December 7, 1905, at the age of eighty
years and twenty-three days. His wife still survives and, her birth having
occurred on the 17th of March, 1828, is now more than eighty years of age.
This worthy couple were the parents of five children, namely: Mrs. Parker;
Robert, of Sheridan, Illinois; Dr. R. G. Knapp, of Chicago; Charles A., de-
ceased; and Nettie L., at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born
two children : Leslie V., who is engaged with his father in the stock busi-
ness; and E. Clair, who is attending school.
Mr. Parker gives his allegiance to the republican party, but has not
cared to take more than a citizen's interest in the work of the organization,
preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. However,
he held the office of township clerk for a number of years, discharging his
duties with promptness and capability. Fraternally he has been identified
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen since 1882. For fifty-two years,
or throughout his entire life, he has lived in Whiteside county, and that
many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known
him from his boyhood to the present time is indicative of the fact that his
has been an honorable and upright career.
He has always lived on the home farm in three houses, all now stand-
ing within three hundred feet of each other. He has never been away
from home more than two weeks at a time, giving his attention uninterrupt-
edly to business.
CLARE GATES HARRISON.
The welfare, progress and upbuilding of every community depend upon
its industrial and commercial enterprises and the men who control these in-
terests. In this connection Mr. Harrison is well known as the founder and
promoter of the Harrison Manufacturing Company, and though yet a young
man he has made a creditable and enviable record in business circles.
He was born in Sterling, August 24, 1872. and is a son of William N.
and Jennie (Gates) Harrison. The father was born near Corning, New
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 709
York, and his father, a resident of the Empire state, lived for many years
on his farm near Corning, or until he passed away in middle life. He mar-
ried a Miss Sands, who was about eighty-two years of age at the time of her
demise. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters. The ma-
ternal grandfather was William Henry Gates, a native of Vermont, who in
early life followed the wagon-maker's trade, and after his removal to the
middle west carried on farming near Independence, Iowa, his death there
occurring when he was about eighty years of age. His widow, Mrs. Maria
(Hyde) Gates, is still living, her home being upon the old farm in Iowa.
They had five sons and seven daughters, and the family _ is of English
lineage.
William N. Harrison was reared to agricultural pursuits and carried on
farming until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, in response to the
country's need, he enlisted as a member of Company H, Tenth New York
Cavalry, with which he served for more than three years. He enlisted as a
private, but was mustered out as quartermaster sergeant. He took part in
the battles of Gettysburg, Shiloh and a number of other important engage-
ments, and on one occasion was captured by Confederate troops, after which
he was incarcerated in Libby prison for several months. He went through
all the hardships and horrors of war and proved himself a valiant and loyal
soldier. When hostilities had ceased and victory perched upon the Union
banners, he went to Elmira, New York, where he began learning the car-
penter's trade, following that pursuit until his death. In 1868 he
removed westward to Illinois, settling first at Sterling, but soon afterward
going to Rock Island Junction. He was there employed as car repairer for
the old Galena Air Line, but made his home in Sterling. Two years later
he began contracting and building on his own account in this city, and was
closely identified with its building operations, erecting many of the substan-
tial structures of the city. He died March 10, 1903, at the age of sixty-six
years, and is still survived by his wife, who is a native of Bradford, Vermont.
For many years she has been a consistent member of the Congregational
church. Their family numbered but two children, the younger being Dale
Stuart Harrison.
Clare G. Harrison was reared in his native city and attended the public
schools and business college. He was afterward employed for a year and a
half in a jewelry store, and then took up his present business, contracting
and operating a planing mill under the name of the Harrison Manufactur-
ing Company. In this way he employs from fifteen to thirty people in the
conduct of what is one of the old established business enterprises of Sterling,
with which Mr. Harrison has been connected since 1897.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Harrison was married on the
10th of December, 1899, to Miss Carrie Kannaka, a daughter of Emanuel
and Fredericka (Whalen) Kannaka. Her parents were natives of Germany,
her father being a young man of about twenty-one years when he came to
the United States, while her mother was a maiden of fourteen years. Mr.
Kannaka settled near Buffalo, New York, and throughout his business life
has been a shoemaker. Since the spring of 1907, however, he and his wife
710 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
have resided in Sterling. They have two children, the son being Edward
Kannaka, who is now in the employ of the National Manufacturing Com-
pany. The father was twice married, and by his first union had three daugh-
ters and one son : Marie, Anna, Ella and Louis.
Mr. Harrison is well known as an exemplary representative of the Ma-
sonic fraternity. He belongs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ;
Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M. ; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T. ; and
Oriental Consistory of Chicago. He is likewise connected with Medinah
Temple of the Mystic Shrine in the latter, city. His wife holds membership
in the Episcopal church. Politically he is a republican, and is alderman of
the Fourth ward. In political circles he is locally prominent, and his devo-
tion to the public good is manifest in the many tangible ways in which he
gives support to progressive movements for the benefit of the city.
WASHINGTON M. DILLON.
It is only under the stimulus of opposition and the pressure of ad-
versity that the best and strongest in men is brought out and developed.
The world is fast coming to a realization of the fact that it is not the poor
boy but the son of wealthy parents who is deserving of pity. Seldom does
the latter make his mark in the world, but the former, when buffetted by
fortune, calls forth his latent energies and in many cases comes off victor in
the strife for name and fortune. Such has been the career of Washington
Moorehead Dillon, who as president and treasurer of the Northwestern Barb
Wire Company, is accounted one of the most prominent of Sterling's suc-
cessful business men.
Born in Zanesville, Ohio, on the 2d of July, 1842, he was the fourth
in order of birth in a family of five children, whose parents were Loyd and
Margaret Annauche (Culbertson) Dillon. The great-grandfather, Moses Dil-
lon, spent his entire life in England. The paternal grandfather, John Dil-
lon, was a native of England and of French Huguenot stock. Emigrating
to America, he became interested in the shipping business between Balti-
more and the West Indies and owned a number of vessels which were de-
stroyed by the French privateers. In this enterprise he was in partnership
with his son Loyd. He became a Friend or Quaker in religious faith and
died in Zanesville, Ohio, at an advanced age. He married Miss Edith Hus-
sey, who died in middle life. Her ancestry could be traced back in the
maternal line to the Griffiths, the last king of Wales. Unto John and Edith
(Hussey) Dillon were born a large family, Loyd being their eldest child.
Loyd Dillon was born in Maryland and for many years was interested
in the shipping business in partnership with his father. After their vessels
were destroyed by the French privateers they removed to Zanesville, Ohio,
and engaged in the iron business at Dillon's Falls on the Licking river, three
miles above Zanesville. The business was there conducted successfully for
many years, but the father died in 1845 at the comparatively early age of
LIBRARY
OF TH
WERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 713
forty-two years. In early manhood he wedded Margaret Annauche Cul-
bertson, a daughter of William Culbertson, a native of Chambersburg, Penn-
sylvania, who followed the occupation of farming, and died at an advanced
age. His wife, Mary Sharpe, passed away in early womanhood. They had
two children, Mary Jane and Margaret Annauche. The latter was born in
Ohio and by her first marriage to Loyd Dillon became the mother of two
daughters and three sons: Ellen, deceased; Mary Price, the deceased wife
of Dr. D. H. Law; Loyd Haynes, who lived in Sterling, but has now passed
away; Washington M., of this review; and Moses Dillon, now of Boston,
Massachusetts. The last named came to Sterling many years ago and was
prominently connected with its business interests as a dealer in groceries,
lumber and coal and as owner of an elevator. Here he resided until 1905,
since which time he has made his home in Boston, but still has business
interests here, being proprietor of lumber and coal yards and of an elevator,
his commercial interests at this point being managed by Frank Grimes.
After losing her first husband Mrs. Loyd Dillon became the wife of R. P.
Robinson, and to them was born a son, George Mathiott Robinson, who is
now president of the Charters Gas Engine Company of Sterling. Mrs. Rob-
inson, who was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and a lady
of many estimable qualities, died June 2, 1881, at the age of sixty-eight
years, while Mr. Robinson passed away when about sixty years of age. He
was a hardware merchant of Zanesville, Ohio, and afterward of Dixon, Illi-
nois, and subsequently engaged in the agricultural implement business.
Washington M. Dillon lived in Ohio until 1856, covering the first four-
teen years of his life, and during that time attended the public schools. He
afterward worked on a farm for his uncle at Zaleski, Ohio, and completed
his education in the Ohio University at Athens. He was a young man of
twenty-two years, when, in 1864, he responded to the country's call for aid,
enlisting as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio
Volunteer* Infantry in the one hundred days' service. He continued at the
front until the expiration of his term and after the war began clerking in
the banking house of Culver, Penn & Company, at Nos. 19 and 21 Nassau
street, New York, where he remained for several years. Removing to St.
Louis, Missouri, he was there engaged in the newspaper business and sub-
sequently took up his abode at Dixon, Illinois, where he clerked in a dry-
goods store for a few months, after which he opened a grocery and queens-
ware business.
Four years later he came to Sterling, where he has lived since 1869.
Here he entered into partnership with W. C. Robinson in the ownership
and conduct of a hardware and agricultural implement business, which they
carried on for nine or ten years. He then organized the Northwestern Barb
Wire Company, which he has since conducted and of which he was vice
president and is now president and treasurer, while A. H. Dillon is secretary
and vice president, and Paul Washington Dillon superintendent. The com-
pany manufactures barb wire, fencing, gates, nails, stretchers, etc. Their
goods are sold extensively throughout the west and employment is furnished
to from forty to fifty people. Their factory is located at Rock Falls, is built
714 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
of stone taken from the bottom of Rock river and is three stories in height,
and their output has become extensive, this proving one of the profitable pro-
ductive industries of the county. Mr. Dillon was also one of the organizers
and president of the Dillon-Griswold Wire Company, which was formed in
1892. He is still largely interested in this concern, which is on the Sterling
side of the Rock river and which has employed as many as three hundred
men at a time.
On the 8th of May, 1873, occurred the marriage of Washington M.
Dillon and Miss Sarah J. Martin, a daughter of John and Catherine
(Hoover) Martin. There are four children of that union, Mary Catharine,
Margaret Annauche, John Martin and Paul Washington. The elder daugh-
ter is the wife of Daniel Pierce Wild, a resident of Sycamore, Illinois, and
they have three daughters, Margaret Dillon, Sarah Pauline and Catharine
Virginia. The elder son is a practicing physician of Chicago, while the
younger son is superintendent of the Northwestern Wire Works. He mar-
ried Miss Crete Blackman and they have two daughters, Crete Blackman and
Margaret Jane. The son-in-law, Daniel Pierce Wild, is connected with the
financial interest of Sycamore, being vice president of the Pierce Trust &
Savings Bank.
Mr. and Mrs. Dillon are devoted members of the Presbyterian church
and Mr. Dillon belongs to Will Robinson Post, G. A. R. His political alle-
giance is given to the republican party, but he has neither time nor inclina-
tion for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his extensive busi-
ness affairs. His beautiful home, known as Oaklawn, embraces six acres of
ground, in the midst of which stands a fine residence. In his business life he
has been watchful of opportunity and through the improvement of the advan-
tages that have come to him he has gradually advanced to a prominent place
in industrial circles, belonging also to that class of representative business
men who, while promoting individual prosperity, also contribute to the gen-
eral welfare.
FREDERICK WOESSNER, JR.
Frederick Woessner, Jr., is engaged in the cultivation of a farm of two
hundred and thirty acres in Genesee township belonging to his father. He
is a wide-awake, alert and energetic young business man, whom Whiteside
county is glad to number among her native sons. He was born on the old
family homestead here May 27, 1878, and, as the name indicates, is of German
lineage. His parents, Frederick and Christina (Mutchler) Woessner, were
both natives of Germany, and in early life came to the United States. Al-
though the father began his business career as a farm hand, he is now the
owner of two fine farm properties in Jordan and Genesee townships. His life
has been one of unremitting activity and well directed effort, and upon these
qualities he has builded the success which now makes him one of the sub-
stantial citizens of his community. Both he and his wife are yet residents of
Jordan township. In the family of this worthy couple were ten children,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 715
namely: William, of Whiteside county; Frederick, of this review; Frank and
John, both deceased; George, likewise of this county; Kate, the wife of
John Holacher, of Whiteside county ; Minnie, who became the wife of
Charles Fanlker, and resides in this county; Lizzie, at home; Emma, who
has passed away; and Anna, also at home.
Frederick Woessner attended the public schools in early youth and re-
mained with his parents until he attained his majority. During the summer
months he worked in the fields until the task of plowing, planting and har-
vesting became familiar to him, and thus, with practical experience, he en-
tered upon agricultural pursuits as a life work when, on attaining his ma-
jority, he started in business on his own account by renting one of his
father's farms. The place comprises two hundred and thirty acres of rich
and productive land in Genesee township, the soil responding readily to the
care and cultivation which he bestows upon it, the early spring planting
being followed by the golden harvests of autumn.
In 1900 Mr. Woessner was married to Miss Mary Johnson, a native of
Whiteside county, whose parents are residents of Sterling. This union has
been blessed with four children: Olive C., Eveline A., Ada M. and Euth M.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church, and are inter-
ested in the church work and other movements which are for the benefit of
mankind or the promotion of the interests of the county. Mr. Woessner
exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican party, and keeps
well informed on the questions of the day, but has never sought or desired
office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business, knowing that
close and unrelaxing industry, guided by sound judgment, will eventually
win the success which is the goal of his hopes.
ALLEN N. BRADFORD.
Rock Falls is pre-eminently an industrial center, and is brought into
close contact with the outside world through its trade relations, as it sends
its manufactured products into various parts of the country. Mr. Bradford
L? a well known representative of industrial life here, as manager of the
Russell, Burdsall & Ward Bolt & Nut Company, in which connection his
expert mechanical ability and knowledge are brought into constant play.
He was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, April 3, 1873, being the
elder of two children of Allen and Lydia (Nye) Bradford, his sister being
Lydia Drew Bradford. He is a direct descendant in the seventh generation
from Governor William Bradford, who came over in the Mayflower in 1620
and was chosen executive head of the Plymouth colony. His grand-
father, David Bradford, who was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, April
29, 1796, died July 22, 1860. A rolling mill and nail factory at Chilton-
ville, now a part of Plymouth, began operation there in 1827, and soon
afterward David Bradford became superintendent and was thus closely as-
sociated with the industrial interests of the town. He was the inventor of
716 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
a nail machine of considerable merit, and was widely known for his skill
and ability in his chosen field of labor. Allen Bradford, father of our sub-
ject, was born in Plymouth, August 17, 1837, and departed this life April
26, 1876. At the time of his death he was superintendent of the tack de-
partment of the Cobb & Drews factory. His widow still survives him and is
yet a resident of Plymouth. Her father, Captain Gorham H. Nye, was bom
at Nantucket, Massachusetts, April 25, 1803, and died on the 31st of October,
1878 He was a sea captain and made many voyages to the Sandwich Islands
and was a trader on the coast of Oregon. At the time that gold was discov-
ered in California in 1848, he was in that state. His daughter, Lydia G. Nye,
was born in Honolulu, on the Sandwich Islands, January 30, 1844.
Allen N Bradford, reared in the place of his nativity, entered the public
schools at the usual age, and as he mastered the various branches of learning
passed from grade to grade until he completed the high school course by
graduation His literary training completed, he entered upon his business
career in the employ of Cobb & Drew, manufacturers of rivets, tacks and
nails at their main 'factory in Plymouth. In 1896 he came to Rock lalls
and took charge of their plant there, which at that time occupied a part of
the Lawrence Brothers' building. In the year 1901 the company erected a
wire mill on land leased from the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad,
for drawing their own wire, and in 1903 erected a large plant for the manu-
facture of rivete, bolts and nuts, which contains sixty thousand square
of floor space, being in part two stories high, and the remainder three ston,
high Employment is given to one hundred skilled workmen. The firm
of Cobb & Drew carried on business until 1907, when they sold their Rock
Falls plant to the Russell, Burdsall & Ward Bolt & Nut Company, which i
the style of the present firm. The product of this plant is sold throughout
the west and they have sales offices in the Commercial National Bank build-
ins of Chicago. Mr. Bradford, because of his practical knowledge of the busi
ness is well qualified for the onerous and responsible duties which devolve
upon him as manager of the factory, and the success of the enterprise is due
in no small degree to his well directed efforts.
In his social relations Mr. Bradford is a Mason, and has attained high
rank in the order, belonging to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A M. J
Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M. ; and Sterling Commandery, No. 5 / T
He is also a valued member of the Sterling Club and has gamed much social
popularity during his residence in this city.
HARRY ECKLES BURKHOLDER.
The history of a community has long since ceased to be a record of war
and conquest. It is the account of its business development the utilization
of its natural resources and the establishment of those institutions which in-
dicate the onward march of civilization. Now associated with commercial
activity in Sterling is Harry Eckles Burkholder, one of the native sons of
the city who is successfully dealing in farm implements, buggies and wagons.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 717
He was born on the 5th of December, 1877, being one of the seven chil-
dren of Christian and Mary (Irvine) Burkholder, natives of Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, and of Illinois, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Elias
Burkholder, was also born in the Keystone state, and was of German descent.
In early life he followed general farming in Pennsylvania, but afterward
engaged in buying cattle in Whiteside county for many years, becoming one
of the enterprising and leading business men of this part of the state. He
died in the spring of 1907 at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and thus
passed away one of the respected and worthy residents of the community. His
wife, Mrs. Maria (Blair) Burkholder, still survives.
Their family of four children included Christian Burkholder, who was
brought by his parents to Illinois during his boyhood days, in 1859, and
settled at Sterling, where he acquired his early education, continuing his
studies at Mount Morris, Illinois. He has now lived in Whiteside county
for almost a half century. In his youth he worked on the farm with his
father, and early became inured to hard labor, such as falls to the lot of the
pioneer in the development of farms on the frontier. He afterward accepted
the position of bookkeeper with H. S. Street in the implement business, and
eventually became Mr. Street's successor. He prospered as a merchant and
.erected a large brick building, where he has now conducted business for
thirty year?, being one of the most reliable and best known business men of
the city. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church. He
stands for progressive citizenship and his efforts in behalf of municipal in-
terests have been far-reaching and beneficial. He was mayor of Sterling
for two terms, and discharged the duties of the office in a prompt and busi-
ness-like way that produced results favorable to the best interests of the city.
Prior to his service as mayor he was alderman for several .terms, and for a
number of years has been president of the consolidated school board, the
cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He was also a
member of the republican central committee for several years, and his opin-
ions have carried weight in the councils of the party.
Christian Burkholder wedded Mary Irvine, a daughter of Joseph Ir-
vine, one of the early settlers of Illinois and a farmer who for many years
tilled the soil, but finally retired from active life and removed to Rockford,
where he died at an advanced age, having long survived his wife. There
were three children of the first marriage, and later he married again, having
also three children by that union. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burkholder have been
born four sons and three daughters, of whom five are yet living: Charley,
who makes his home in Charlotte, North Carolina; Charlotte, the wife of
Harvey Keefer, of Sterling; Homer S., residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
Harry E., a twin brother of Homer, who lives in Sterling; and Alice, the wife
of E. B. Scott, of West Haven, Connecticut.
Harry E. Burkholder was reared in Sterling, and when he had mastered
the branches of learning taught in the public schools he prepared specially
for the practical and responsible duties of business life by a course in a com-
mercial college in Quincy. He then joined his father in business, becoming
familiar with the implement trade, and is now his father's successor. For
718 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
five years he traveled upon the road as a salesman, and is now controlling
an extensive patronage in Sterling in farm implements, buggies and wagons.
He carries the output of standard manufactories, and his earnest desire to
please his patrons, combined with reliable business methods, have won for him
desirable success.
On the 12th of September, 1900, Mr. Burkholder married Miss Frances
Louise Bowman, a daughter of Edward and Maria (Adams) Bowman, who
came to this county at an early day and here reared their family of five
children. Mr. and Mrs. Burkholder are members of the Congregational
church and are prominent socially, the hospitality of the best homes of the
city being cordially extended them. Mr. Burkholder votes with the repub-
lican party, but the demands of growing business leave him little time for
activity in public affairs.
C. F. RIBORDY.
C. F. Ribordy, who has devoted his entire life to general agricultural
pursuits, has gained a prosperity which comes as the direct reward of earn-
est, persistent labor, intelligently applied. A valuable property of four hun-
dred and thirty-two acres now pays tribute to him, and he also derives a good
income from his stock-raising interests. His life record began in LaSalle
county, Illinois, on the 14th of July, 1866, his parents being Ferdinand and
Louisa (Pellouchoud) Ribordy, who were natives of Switzerland and came
to America in the early '40s. They settled in LaSalle Icounty, Illinois, whero
the father secured land from the government, converting this raw tract into
well cultivated fields. There he carried on farming until the time of the
Civil war, when, feeling that his first duty was to his adopted country, and
being imbued with the liberty-loving spirit so characteristic of the Swiss race,
he joined the army as a member of the Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry and
served for three years. After the close of the war, in which he did his full
duty as a soldier, he returned to LaSalle county, and soon after removed to
Livingston county, where he purchased two hundred acres of good farm land.
From that time until 1892 he was busily and successfully engaged in the
work of cultivating the fields and caring for the crops. He then retired
from active business and removed to Dwight, where his remaining days were
passed in the enjoyment of well earned rest, his death occurring in 1903.
His wife died in 1892. Their family numbered four children, namely: C.
F. Ribordy; Pauline, a resident of Kempton, Illinois; and Joseph and Will-
iam, who are living in Ford county, this state.
At the usual age C. F. Ribordy became a pupil in the public school near
his father's home, and completed his education in the Sugar Grove school.
When not occupied with his text-books his time was largely given to the work
of the fields and year after year he assisted in plowing, planting and harvest-
ing, until he gained comprehensive knowledge of the best methods of tilling
the soil and caring for the crops. He continued on the old homestead farm
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 719
until twenty-seven years of age, when he was united in marriage to Miss
Catherine Lyons, who was born in Livingston county, Illinois, in 1867. Her
father is still residing there, but the mother is now deceased. Their family
numbered eleven children, and unto Mr. and Mrs. Ribordy were born the
following children: Louisa, Isabelle, Florence, Beatrice, Raymond and
Genevieve Catherine. Mrs. Ribordy died on the 27th of January, 1908.
Following his marriage Mr. Ribordy rented his father's farm, which he
cultivated for six years. His careful coatrol of expenses and his unfaltering
industry brought him a goodly measure of success, and he bought land in
Lee county, upon which he lived for five years, when he sold that property.
He next invested in two hundred and sixty acres of land on section 12, Mont-
morericy township, where he now makes his home. He has since added to his
holdings, however, until his possessions aggregate four hundred and thirty-
two acres in Whiteside and Lee counties. His farm property is valuable,
owing to the care and labor he has bestowed upon it, and to the substantial
improvements that have been made. He is engaged in the raising of short-
horn cattle and Shropshire sheep, and this branch of his business claims
much of his attention and brings him a good profit. In politics Mr.
Ribordy is a republican, but while neither seeking nor desiring office, he
has served as school treasurer. He and his wife are members of St. Mary's
Catholic church of Sterling. Mr. Ribordy displays many of the strong and
salient characteristics of his Swiss ancestry, and in his business life has mani-
fested a strength of purpose that has never permitted him to turn back from
any work that he has undertaken, but has always permitted his faithful exe-
cution of the same. Year after year he has worked on, and his labors have
brought him a gratifying measure of success.
EUGENE P. SULLIVAN, M. D.
Dr. Eugene P. Sullivan is engaged in the practice of medicine and sur-
gery in Morrison. His life record began in Madison, Wisconsin, on the 31st
of October, 1873. His father, Cornelius Sullivan, a native of Ireland, is now
living in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of fifty-nine years. He came to the
United States about 1858, and for a time resided in New York, after which
he removed westward to Wisconsin, where he engaged in business as a rail-
road contractor. This work took him from one state to another, but for the
past ten years he has made his home in Chicago. He has been quite success-
ful in his business undertakings, and though he started out in life empty-
handed, he is now in possession of a comfortable competency. In politics
he is a republican, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in
the Catholic church. In early manhood he wedded Katherine Galligher, who
was born on the Emerald isle, and is now living at the age of fifty-six years.
She came to the United States, with her parents, about 1858, and the family
home was established in Madison, Wisconsin. She holds membership with
the Episcopal church. By her marriage she became the mother of two sons,
.the younger being Samuel, a practicing physician of Chicago.
720 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Dr. Eugene P. Sullivan, the elder son, was educated in the public schools
of his native city, passing through successive gra'des until he was graduated
from the high school there. He afterward pursued a pre-medical course in
the University of Wisconsin, and in 1895 entered Rush Medical College of
Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899. The follow-
ing year he began practice in Malvern, Illinois, where he remained until
1902, when he came to Morrison, where for six years he has practiced,
meeting with a fair measure of success.
In 1897 Dr. Sullivan was married to Miss Laura Gertrude Ennis, who
was born in Chicago in 1875. They have four children: Samuel, Eugenie,
Lawrence and Lorna. The parents are communicant? of the Catholic church
and Dr. Sullivan is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Modern
Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers of the World. He belongs
to the Whiteside County, the State, the American and the Northern Central
Medical Associations. His political allegiance is given to the republican
party, but he has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to give his un-
divided attention to his professional duties, which are performed with a sense
of conscientious obligation.
GEORGE P. RICHMOND.
Almost six decades have passed since George P. Richmond located in
W T hiteside county and cast in his lot with its early pioneer settlers, so that
no history of the county would be complete without mention of him. He
is also one of the largest landowners and stock-raisers of this section of the
state, being in possession of nineteen hundred acres, all in Whiteside county
and of this amount he operates nine hundred acres.
Mr. Richmond was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, October
24, 1827, a son of John and Clara (Parker) Richmond, who were likewise
natives of the old Bay state, where they spent their entire lives. Their
family numbered three sons and one daughter, namely: John, who resided
in Massachusetts, but is now deceased; Mary, who resides in Connecticut;
George P., of this review; and Rufus P., deceased.
George P. Richmond was a little lad of eleven years when he lost his
parents, so that he was early thrown upon his own resources. He acquired
his education in the common schools of the east, wherein he obtained a fair
knowledge of the English branches. After the death of his parents he went
to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until he had attained his
majority. At that time, in the year 1849, he started for Illinois, hoping
that in the west he might find better advantages than could be enjoyed in the
older east. Accordingly he made his way by water to Chicago and in that .
city purchased a horse, which he rode to Whiteside county. Here he entered
one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, this tract being
located on section 26, Prophetstown township. He still owns his first pur-
chase. He at once began to develop and improve the land and in due course
L1BRAHY
OF 1H
i;jiV p P.SITV OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 723
of time had it in a good state of fertility. The following year he purchased
ninety-one acres more, and also improved this. Since that time as his finan-
cial condition has permitted he has added to his landed possessions until he
now owns nearly nineteen hundred acre*, all in Prophetstown township He
has under his personal supervision nine hundred acres of this while the
balance he rents so that he is numbered among the largest landowners of
i section of Illinois. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil
d climate, he devotes much of his land to pasturage, for since 1857 he has
made a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs, being extensively
engaged in this business, shipping from two to three hundred cattle each
year For the past twenty-five years he has also engaged in raising horses,
handling Hambletoman stock, and this also adds materially to his annual
He is a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment and
this has proved the foundation of his splendid success
S v n o he .,? 2d f Feb ry, I860, Mr. Richmond was united in marriage
s Sevilla Gage, who was born in Whiteside county, while her parents
nere natives of Vermont. She became the mother of two sons and a daugh-
John, who lives on the homestead farm; Mrs. Mary Passmore, a resi-
st of Iowa; and Harry, at home. The wife and mother, however, is de-
ceased, her death occurring April 18, 1879.
rMrt r ' Cl fin n ! u 3S ~ WayS gi n Stanch Sup P rt to the ^publican
party and has filled the offices of school director and assessor. When Mr
Richmond located in Whiteside county it was still inhabited by the red men'
*h,te settlers having as yet ventured into the wild region to establish
omes. Deer and wolves were still found roaming over the prairies and through
forests and wild game was to be had in abundance. There was little to
e"Z r d g t e o , t fi f, Cam6 ' bUt he POSSeSS6d a c geous -PMt and
evolved to endure the hardships and privations which are alwavs to be met
e ha t 1 " , \vl n th ! Sk deC8deS Which have Since come and ge
e has not only seen Whiteside county grow from a wild country, with only
a few white inhabitants, to a rich agricultural district, containing thousands
homes and growing towns inhabited by an industrious, prosperous
and progressive people, but he has participated in the slow, persistent work
the a P Tf ^ ^^ t0 Pr duCe this S reat chan S e ' an * now
at t e age of four score years he is supplied with all the comforts and many
the luxuries of life and is numbered among the venerable and highly
respected pioneer settlers of .his section of the state
ALFRED P. PORTER.
nd fJ!Tn f P rter 1S ""I f th PXtensive land wncrs of Whiteside county
^ell known as a real-estate dealer, having in charge the rental of vari-
ou, piopert.es and also conducting a loan business. The enterprising spirit
'
ril SST' 1 "" 7? " hiS " B rn iD DiX0 "' Illinoi *' thc f
>, he L< a son of James and Paulina (Bowman) Porter, who were
724 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
natives of the Empire state, born about ten miles from Buffalo and near the
Niagara Falls.
The father, a farmer by occupation, came to Illinois in 1846, settling at
Dixon, where he engaged in business as a contractor. He also followed team-
ing until 1859 and at an early date hauled grain from Dixon to Chicago by
wagon. The country, then largely uncultivated and undrained, could not
boast of excellent highways. On the contrary, Mr. Porter frequently became
stuck in the mud and had to carry the load out of the mire upon his back, the
grain being loaded in sacks. After taking his wheat to Chicago he would trade
it for produce and on the return trip would haul produce for his neighbors and
also goods for the merchants of Dixon. The pre-ent generation can never
know, except through hearsay and history, of the hardships endured by the
early pioneers. It was not only the men of the family but the women as well
who met difficulties and obstacles in the building of the homes on the fron-
tier. Theirs was a lot of patient toil as they performed the work of the house-
hold, usually not only preparing the meals and doing other such tasks but
ako supplying the family with clothing. There was, however, much enjoy-
ment in the life and the people were usually happy and contented. The spirit
of hospitality reigned supreme and mutual helpfulness was manifest through-
out the pioneer neighborhoods. On leaving Dixon in 1859, James Porter re-
moved to Harmon, Lee county, Illinois, being the third or fourth settler in his
township. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits until a year prior
to his death, when he removed to the village of Harmon, -where he died in 1880,
when about sixty-six years of age. His wife survived him until January 4,
1900, passing away at the age of eighty-two years, four months and eight
days, her birth having occurred August '27, 1818. They were Methodists in
religious faith and were loyal Christian people, true to the teachings of the
church. Mr. Porter held various township offices, being at different times
supervisor, assessor and collector. In politics he was a republican and promi-
nent in the ranks of the party. His family numbered four sons and four
daughters but only three are now living: Cytheria M.. of Sterling; Gula, the
wife of G. W. Hill, of Dixon, Illinois; and Alfred P., of Sterling.
The history of the family can be traced back to a more remote period.
James Porter, the grandfather of our subject, lived in New York, near Buffalo,
for many years, conducting a tavern on the plank road at an early day and
also carrying on a farm there. He died when about fifty-two years of age,
while his wife, Mrs. Phoebe (Fairchild) Porter, lived to be eighty-four years of
age. They had a large family. The Porters were of Irish descent. The maternal
grandfather was Benjamin Bowman, a native of Pennsylvania, whence he
removed to New York, settling near Buffalo. He was quite a prominent man
and founded the city of Bowmansville, which was named in his honor. There
he extensively engaged in farming and also conducted a gristmill, a store and
a blacksmith shop. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Polly (Suavely) Bowman,
lived to be quite aged. Their family numbered two sons and eight daughters.
Alfred P. Porter was only about a year old when his parents removed to
Lee county. He was reared on his father's farm, early becoming familiar with
the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and upon the old
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 725
homastead property he remained until 1902. For seven years he owned the
homestead, which he purchased and which contained one hundred and sixty
acres of rich and productive land situated in Harmon township. His educa-
tional privileges were those afforded by the common schools. In his business
life he early manifested keen discernment and marked enterprise, and those
qualities have been the salient elements in his success. In 1902 he took up
his abode in Sterling, where he began operating in real estate and still con-
tinues in this line, doing business also in making rentals and loans. He buy?
and sells on his own account and is now one of the extensive landowners of
this part of the state.' In addition to handling his own property he also sells
on commission and has negotiated many important realty transfers.
On the 4th of February, 1880, Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss
Jemima D. Keith, a daughter of George and Ann (Eddy) Keith. Six chil-
dren were born of that union : Ferris E., Lula E., Wayne H., Erma Z., Un-
dine and Thelma Ann. The oldest child, Ferris, died August 5, 1899, at the
age of sixteen years, and Wayne passed away at the age of six years. The old-
est daughter, Lula, is the wife of T. E. Purcell, a resident of Billings county,
North Dakota, and they have two children, Wayne H., and Ina. The younger
daughters. Erma, Undine and Thelma, are at home. The wife and mother
died February 22, 1902, at the age of forty-two years and four months, passing
away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. She was of Scotch line-
age, her parents having been born in Scotland. They became residents of
Rockford, Illinois, about 1837 and engaged in farming in that locality. About
1861 they removed to a farm near Marion, Lee county, and upon that place
the mother died, after which the father removed to Nebraska, where he spent
his remaining days. In their family were four sons and four daughters.
In his political views Mr. Porter is a republican and in Lee county held
some minor township offices, the duties of which he discharged with prompt-
ness and fidelity. Since coming to Sterling, however, he has concentrated his
energies upon his business affairs and has met with excellent success in his
undertakings. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms
his plans readily and is determined in their execution, while his close applica-
tion to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high
degree of prosperity which is today his.
ISAAC S. BRESSLER,
Isaac S. Bressler, whose capably directed labor has gained him a place
among the men of affluence in Jordan township, lives on section 34, where he
is now successfully carrying on general farming. He is one of Whiteside
county's native sons, born August 23, 1851, a son of Henry Bressler, well
known and honored as one of the pioneer residents of this part of the state.
He attended the common schools until sixteen years of age and afterward had
the benefit of a few terms instruction in Cornell College at Mount Vernon,
Iowa. After leaving college he returned to his native county and from his
726 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
grandfather, Isaac Bressler, rented a farm located on section 35, Jordan town-
ship. With characteristic energy he began its development and his labc
were soon manifest in the improved condition of the fields.
While on the old Bressler farm, Isaac S. Bressler was married to Miss
Delora E. Brewer, a daughter of George W. Brewer, of Sterling. She was born
December 14, 1851, in the city of Sterling and comes from sturdy old Nev
England ancestry, her parents removing, however, from the state of New
York to the west! George W. Brewer has made his home in Whiteside coun-
tv since 1837 and is therefore one of its oldest residents. He was born near
Cooperstown, Otsego county, New York, May 6, 1827, and was descended
from Revolutionary ancestry, his paternal grandfather having been a soldi<
of the American army in the war for independence. His father, 1
Brewer, was a wagonmaker by trade and in 1836 made a prospecting trip to
the middle west. The following year he started with his family for \\ hite-
side county, Illinois, going down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers on a lumber
raft From Louisville he proceeded by steamboat to St. Louis and from that
point came to Whiteside county. He assisted in building a number of the
first houses of the county and his family was among the first to establish a
home in this part of the state. He afterward built and conducted a wagon
shop and was thus one of the earliest representatives of industnal interests in
Whiteside county. He died February 27, 1848, while, his wife passed away
Januarv 6 1867. Their son, George W. Brewer, father of Mrs. Bressler, is
the only survivor of a family of nine children. He has lived continuously
in thi'countv for more than seventy years and in early life worked at the
wagonmaker's trade. Later he turned his attention to farming, which he fol-
lowed for a long period, and later gave his attention to the purchase and sale
of land. Acquiring, as the years passed by, a handsome competence, he is now
living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was married March
4 1851, to Elizabeth S. Green and they became the parents of four sons and
six daughters, of whom Mrs. Bressler is the oldest surviving. Extended men-
tion is made of George W. Brewer on another page of this work.
Unto Mr and Mrs. Bressler have been born three children: Fred Nel-
son, born September 12, 1876, married Miss Ray Zella Lamar, of Chicago,
a daughter of Raymond Lamar, a photographer of that city. This mar-
riagTwas celebrated in 1900 and unto Mr. and Mrs. Fred N. Bressler have
bell born three children: Gladys, born June 30, 1901; Burton, deceased and
Edward born November 19, 1907. Fred N. Bressler is a graduate of the
countrv schools and further continued his studies in the high school and bus-
ine=s college, being graduated from the latter with honors. At present he ]
id ntified wi h commercial interests in Sterling. George B. Bressler, the sec-
ond son born December 21, 1880, after attending the common schoo s pursued
his education in the high school and busmess college of Sterling. In 1
ten to Sago, whert he has since resided, and at present occupies a re
Tponsible position with Crane & Company of that city. He *ff>**
1905 to Miss Dot Lee, of Chicago. Carrie E., born December 1, 1887, b
her education in the district schools and afterward took up the ^tudy .3 f mmc
in Sterling. In 1907 she gave her hand in mamage to Frank L. ^ eath
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 727
of Milledgeville, Carroll county, Illinois, a son of Thomas Weatherwax, de-
ceased, an old settler of Carroll county. Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Weather-
wax are now living on her father's farm on section 35, Jordan township.
Isaac S. Bressler became the owner of his present farm in 1883. He has
always lived the life of an enterprising, active and energetic agriculturist and
his labors are attended with a measure of success which has gained him place
among the men of affluence in his county. His farm is a well developed prop-
erty, in the midst of which stand substantial buildings, while everything
about the place is indicative of the careful supervision and practical methods
of the owner. He is widely known as a reliable business man and trustworthy
citizen and has an extensive circle of friends in the county in which his en-
tire life has been passed.
CAPTAIN JOHN W. NILES.
Captain John W. Mies is very prominent in Masonic circles, and is well
known in Sterling as justice of the peace and notary public, his official service
being characterized by the utmost fairness and impartiality in the discharge
of his duties. He was born in Lebanon, New York, November 11, 1830, and
was one of the eight children of Captain John and Sarah (Moseley) Niles,
natives of Madison county, New York. The paternal grandfather, who was
also Captain John Miles, won his title by service with the New York militia.
He was a farmer by occupation, and also speculated in and raised hops. He
died in Madison county, New York, when about seventy years of age, his
remains being interred at Lebanon. His wife, Mrs. Lydia (Bryant) Niles,
was a relative of the famous poet, William Cullen Bryant, and she had two
brothers who were valiant soldiers of the American army in the Revolutionary
war. Mrs. Niles was more than seventy years of age at the time of her death.
By her marriage she had three sons, Harvey and Luther, who were in the
war of 1812, and Captain John. The ancestry of the family can be traced
still further back, for Captain John Niles, the grandfather, was the son of
Nahum Niles, a native of Massachusetts, of English descent. He was a Pres-
byterian minister, and in his old age went to Madison county, New York, to
live with his children, passing away there when well advanced in years. In
early manhood he married Susanna Cole, w r hose brother, Samuel Cole, was
killed by the Indians long prior to the Revolutionary war, when the red men
inhabited that section of the country.
The maternal grandfather of Captain Niles, of Sterling, was Araunah
Moseley, a native of western Massachusetts, born near Hoosac. He followed
agricultural pursuits as a source of livelihood, and in early manhood wedded
Sarah Shapley, by whom he had nine children, their daughter Sarah, who
became Mrs. Niles, being the eldest. Araunah Moseley died in Lebanon,
New York, at the very venerable age of ninety-three years, while his wife
passed away in middle life. He was the son of Peabody Moseley, who took
his younger children to the Shaker settlement in New York and there reared
728 HISTOEY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
them. His son, Araunah, although not of the Shaker faith, won his wife
from 'among that sect and eloped with ' her.
Captain John Niles, father of our subject, followed the occupation of
farming throughout his entire business career. In 1855 he made his way
westward to Iowa and settled in Jones county. After the Civil war he re-
moved to Sterling, where he died in 1882, at the age of eighty-two years. His
wife survived him two years, and died at the age of eighty-two. Both were
consistent members of the Baptist church and earnest Christian people. As a
member of the New York Militia he commanded a company, thereby gaining
the military title by which he was uniformly known. He filled the office of
.justice of the peace in the Empire state, and later in Iowa, and took an
active interest in politics. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and
four daughters, and of the family five 'are now living, namely: Sarah S.,
the widow of David D. Jewett, and a resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota;
John W. ; Harvey, living at Anamosa, Iowa; Anna H., the wife of Calvert
Hartshorn, of Peabody, Kansas; and S. Wheeler, of Hastings, Nebraska.
The three who have passed away are A. Moseley, Mrs. Susan N. Price and
Mrs. Mary A. Buell.
Captain John \V. Niles was reared on his father's farm and acquired his
education in the district schools and in Hamilton Academy. He taught a
district school in Illinois and also in Iowa, being thus engaged up to the
time of the Civil war. He was also serving as postmaster at Madison, Iowa,
at the time of the outbreak of hostilities, having been a resident of that state
from 1854. Interested in the progress of events in the south, his patriotic
spirit was aroused by the attempt to overthrow the Union, and on the 12th
of August, 1861, he offered his services to the government, enlisting in Com-
pany B, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Vandever, who, re-
turning from congress, raised a regiment and went forth to battle for his
country in the south. He was afterward a congressman from California.
Captain Niles enlisted as a private, but when the company was organized
was made orderly sergeant. At the battle of Vicksburg he was promoted to
*first lieutenant for gallantry in action, and when the captain of the com-
pany resigned he was made its commander. He served for four years, doing
valiant service for the country, never faltering in the discharge of any duty
and meeting all of the experiences of camp life. He participated in the bat-
tles of Pea Ridge, Arkansas Post, the assault and the siege of Vicksburg, and
the battle of Jackson, Mississippi. He was also with Sherman's army at
Lookout mountain and Missionary Ridge, all through the Atlantic campaign,
and on the celebrated march to the sea. He served for four years, and after
the grand review was .mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, in July, 1865,
returning home with a most creditable military record.
Coming to Sterling in the fall of 1865, Captain Niles purchased some
land south of the river and engaged in farming until 1875. He then took
up his abode in the city and has since lived there. He belongs to Rock
River Lodge. No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M.,
and Sterling Commandery. No. 57, K. T. He was master of the blue lodge
at one time and is now secretarv of all the Masonic bodies. He is also the
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 729
valued and popular commander of Will Robinson Post, No. 274, which office
he ha.s filled for a number of years. He was one of the organizers and. a
charter member of the post. He is also a member of the Loyal Legion, and
in community affairs he has taken an active and helpful part and was a
member and secretary of the board of education of the Central school for
twenty-three years. Upon his retirement W. W. Davis contributed the fol-
lowing complimentary notice concerning the Captain's service on the school
board to one of the Sterling newspapers: "His office was mostly identified
with what was known as the Second ward school, now, since consolidation
with the Lincoln, a.s district three. The close of so long and honorable a career
deserves more than passing notice. The office of director is peculiar. There
is no profit, no thanks, plenty of criticism, and yet with the Captain it was a
labor of love. Always ready, always on hand, never missing a meeting, regular
in visitation, fertile in suggestion, unerring in judgment, genial in intercourse,
popular with the children and with his fellow members, no commission too
much trouble to execute, he has left a record that it will be pleasant to cherish.
To no one man does the success of our leading school owe so much. In mat-
ters of citizenship Captain Niles is today as loyal as when he followed the old
flag on southern battlefields and his aid can always be counted upon to further
any movements for the welfare and upbuilding of Sterling.
WILLIAM II. MIDDAGH.
William H. Middagh, a respected and representative farmer of Coloma
township, living on section 32, was born on the 20th of January, 1825, in
Ulster county, New York, his parents being Jacob H. and Catherine (Win-
chell) Middagh, who were natives of the Empire state. The father was a
miller by trade and also followed the occupation of farming. He married
Miss Catherine AVinchell, who was likewise a native of Ulster county, New
York, and was of German descent. They became the parents of five children,
all of whom reached adult age. namely : Lemuel, Susan, William H., DeWitt
and Mary. DeWitt was a soldier of the Union army and died of disease con-
tracted in the service. The parents passed their entire lives in the Empire
state.
William H. Middagh acquired a common-school education and in early
life learned the miller's trade, which he followed for a number of years. As
a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Susie E. Brooks,
to whom he wa,s married in October, 1846. She, too, was a native of New
York, and they became the parents of five children : John, who died at an
early age ; Sylvester ; Ella, the wife of William Stewart, of Binghamton, New
York, and a prosperous merchant and commercial traveler; Ida, the wife of
Warren Murray; and Horatio.
For several years after his marriage William H. Middagh continued to
operate the mill and farm belonging to his father. On disposing of his in-
terests there he removed to Broome county, New York, where he purchased a
730 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
tract of land which was mostly covered by timber. This he cleared and im-
proved, building thereon a comfortable home, good barns and other outbuild-
ings. In 1866 he sold that property and removed westward to Whiteside coun-
ty, Illinois, purchasing the place upon which he now resides on section 32,
Coloma township. He has lived a long and busy life. His record has been
checkered by mishaps and disadvantages and yet by his persistency of pur-
pose and unfaltering diligence he has achieved a goodly measure of success.
At one time he suffered the loss of a great number of hogs valued at over two
thousand dollars. He has also lost valuable horses and other stock, but not-
withstanding these obstacles in his path to success he has persevered and has
become one of the substantial farmers of the county, lu all of his business
dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and trustworthy. He has never
sued a person in all his life, preferring to suffer injustice and loss rather than
to force his rights through the processes of the law. No man has ever known
him to take advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction
but, on the contrary, he is thoroughly reliable and trustworthy.
In 1907 Mr. Middagh was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who
died on the 10th of May, of that year. Since then he has been living alone
most of the time upon the old homestead. His daughter, Mrs. William Stew-
art, who lives in Binghamtou, New York, takes a great interest in looking
after her father's comfort and has tried to induce him to leave the responsibili-
ties and care of the farm to others and go and live with her, but Mr. Middagh
clings to the old homestead, where so many happy years of his life have been
passed.
His friends and neighbors have nothing for him but the kindest words
and the utmost respect. His political allegiance is given to the democracy
and he has never sought nor desired office. He has ever displayed a kind, gen-
erous disposition, willing to extend a helping hand to those in need, and
throughout his community is held in the highest esteem. He has now passed
the eighty-third milestone on life's journey and has therefore witnessed many
remarkable events in the history of his country as well as the progress and up-
building of his adopted county.
NATHAN THOMPSON.
There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect
which is uniformly accorded to Nathan Thompson, but through many years'
connection with the history of Prophetstown and Whiteside county his has
been an unblemished character. With him success in life has been reached
by his sterling qualities of heart and mind, true to every manly principle.
He has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right
and honorable between his fellowmen and himself and with this as a founda-
tion he has builded thereon by reason of his energy, determination and
utilization of opportunities and has won a success that is as gratifying and
honorable as it is substantial. After a long and eventful career he can look
LIBRARY
Of I HE
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 733
back over the past with pride and enjoy the declining years of his earthly
pilgrimage with a consciousness of having gained for himself by his straight-
forward career the confidence and respect of the entire community in which
he lives.
Mr. Thompson is a native of Galway, Saratoga county, New York, born
March 9, 1822. In early colonial days the family, which is of Scotch-Irish
origin, was founded in America, being established in Boston in 1718. Rep-
resentatives of the name went to Saratoga county, New York, at the close of
the French and Indian war in 1763. The family was represented in the
Revolutionary war by John Thompson, who attained the rank of captain
and when Stillwater township, Saratoga county, New York, was organized
in 1788 he became one of its first justices, while in that year and in 1789
he was also a member of the state assembly. In 1791 when Saratoga was
organized as a county, John Thompson^ was appointed the first judge and
filled the office for eighteen years, or until 1809, when he reached the age
of limit fixed by law and retired. He was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1801 and was later a representative to the sixth, tenth and
eleventh congresses. He thus left the impress of hia individuality upon the
judicial and legislative history of his county, state and nation and took a
most active and helpful part in promoting its interests during its formative
period. His son, James Thompson, also served as county judge, his judicial
career closing in 1833, while his death occurred in 1845. His second son,
John Whalen Thompson, born December 19, 1808, seemed to have inherited
the mental powers of his father and grandfather and was graduated with
honor at Union College in 1827. Studying law, he was admitted to the bar
in 1831 and in 1834 was appointed by Governor Marcy surrogate of Sara-
toga county to fill the position until 1846, when the new constitution took
effect, He assisted in organizing the Ballston Spa (N. Y.) bank in 1838 and
was its president from 1856 until his death, June 28, 1892. His son, George
Lee, succeeded him to the presidency and died December 29, 1895. The two
younger sons of John Thompson, Samuel and Frank, both reside at the old
homestead. Of the sons of Judge John Thompson, the grandfather of our
subject, William became a prominent lawyer of Obed, New York, nnd
Charles an active business man of Seneca Falls, New York.
The other son was Dr. Nathan Thompson, the father of our subject.
He was born in Saratoga county, in March, 1778, and became a leading
physician of his native county, where he married Miss Lucy Plumb, who
was born in Connecticut and at an early day became a resident of Oneida
county, New York. They had six children: Emma, Mary, Charles, Mar-
tha, Nathan and Ralph, but only Martha and Nathan are now living and for
many years she has made her home with Mr. Thompson, of this review.
"Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and
distinguished," and in this respect Nathan Thompson is blessed. He was
reared amid refining influences upon a farm in his native county, where
good educational privileges were afforded him by the public schools. He
lost his father when young, but continued to reside in Saratoga county until
he attained his majority. After mastering the common branches of learning
734 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
he later spent the winter seasons as a student in an academy. The west
attracted him and in 1843 he made 'his way to Illinois in company with his
two cousins, Robert and Isaac Seers, traveling by way of the Great Lakes to
Milwaukee and thence overland to Elgin, Kane county. When two years
had passed Mr. Thompson took up his abode in Whiteside county, settling
at Prophetstown, where he put in a crop for his cousins, who purchased a
farm here. Sixty-three years have since come and gone and Nathan Thomp-
son yet remains a valued resident of this county, where for many years he
labored actively and untiringly, promoting public progress while advancing
individual success. The only break in his residence here came in 1851,
where he went to Peru and there engaged in working in a plow factory, but
the following year he returned to this county. In the meantime, however,
he had spent about a year as a clerk in a store and through one winter had
operated a horse-power sawmill in Portland Grove. Going to Peru, he was
employed in the plow works of Tuller, Dodge & Pitts, and upon his return
to Prophetstown in 1852, embarked in business on his own account as pro-
prietor of a general store under the firm style of Nathan Thompson & Com-
pany, his partner being N. Tuller. He erected an extensive store building
and for fifteen years was actively associated with the business. He did not
confine his attention entirely to this line, however, but as opportunity offered
made judicious and extensive investments in property, controlled his farm-
ing interests and also did contract work on the county ditches. In this
connection he constructed nine miles of county ditches and with another
party graded the railroad from Rock river to Green river. His business
interets have invariably been of a character that have contributed to the
general improvement as well as to individual success. Later he gave most
of his attention to overseeing his farms, having four or five hundred acres
of valuable land, but in more recent years he has disposed of this property.
He never resided upon a farm, but always made his home in Prophetstown
and from that point gave his supervision to his agricultural interests. ^AIS
name figures conspicuously in connection with financial circles, for from
1872 until 1878 he was identified with the banking interests of Prophets-
town and in 1902 became one of the organizers of the Farmers' National
Bank, of which he has since been president. This institution is capitalized
for sixty thousand dollars and is recognized as one of the strong moneyed
concerns of the county.
Mr. Thompson was married in December, 1867, to Mrs. Sarah J. Parrott,
whose first husband was killed in the army. She was born and educated in
Vermont, and for fifteen years Mr. and Mrs. Thompson traveled life's journey
happily together, after which they were separated by the death of the wife,
who in 1882. was laid to rest in Prophetstown cemetery. His sister Martha
has since acted as his housekeeper. Mr. Thompson has never affiliated with
fraternal organizations nor has he held membership in any church. His
political support was given to James K. Polk in 1844, for, although he was
not residing here at the time, he cast his vote in Prophetstown by reason of
the fact that he was a resident of the congressional district. He has since
been a stalwart democrat and has held some local offices, although his aspira-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 735
tion and ambitions have not been in the line of office-holding. He has pre-
ferred to concentrate his time and energies upon his business interests and
the story of his success is well known in this county. We read of the lives of
the heroes of the past and they not only prove of historical interest but serve
also to inspire and encourage ; yet we need not go to former ages for examples
that are worthy of emulation. The men of today who have won success and
honor equal in exemplary traits of character those who have passed away,
and the life of Nathan Thompson may well prove of great benefit if we will
but heed the obvious lessons which it contains. He has now reached the
eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey. He has ever been a man of strength
of character, of strong will and of determined purpose, holding closely to the
ideals that he has believed to be right and winning his success by judicious
investments. His path has never been strewn with the wreck of other men's
fortunes, and on the contrary the public has been an indirect beneficiary in
much that he has accomplished.
CLARENCE F. SENIOR.
Clarence F. Senior, successfully engaged in fanning and stock-raising in
Garden Plain township, is a native son of this township, his parents being H.
R. and Emma (Stone) Senior. The father's birth also occurred in Garden
Plain township, December 4, 1850, the grandfather, John Senior, having come
to Whiteside county some years prior to his marriage. Harvey R. Senior was
reared upon the home farm and educated in the country schools. He was left
an orphan at an early age and his opportunities in youth were about like those
of the average boy in a frontier community. When he had attained his major-
ity he commenced farming on his own account on land purchased by the
family and for a long period continued actively in general agricultural pur-
suits. By reason of his early training he was well qualified for the occupation
which he made his life work, his untiring industry and capable business man-
agement winning for him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He is now, how-
ever, living retired, giving his attention merely to his invested interests. In
1902, in connection with Dr. S. B. Dimond and C. E. Peck, he organized the
First National Bank of Albany, of which he is a director and the vice presi-
dent. 'For a number of years he was also president of the Garden Plain Mutual
Fire Insurance Company. Unto him and his wife were born four children :
Clarence F., of this review; Newell K., a resident of Garden Plain township;
and Olive L. and Emily B., at home. H. R. Senior was elected county super-
visor in 1889 arid was continued in the office by reelection to the year 1907,
when he resigned. He is widely recognized as one of the county's representa-
tive and enterprising citizens, whose success has been gained through methods
which neither seek nor require disguise.
Clarence F. Senior first attended school in his native township and subse-
quently continued his studies in the schools of Albany and Port Byron, while
at Fulton, Illinois, he also took a commercial course. After leaving school he
736 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
engaged in farming on his father's land and when he had attained his ma-
jority began the operation of rented land, being successfully engaged in its
cultivation for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased
ninety-one acres of slightly improved land at sixty dollars per acre, which he
has highly developed and on which he has placed many modern improve-
ments, including barns, a scale house and other accessories and conveniences
which constitute a model farming property. In 1907 he erected a handsome
frame residence, two stories in height, one of the finest farm homes in the
Bounty. In addition to the work of the fields Mr. Senior makes a specialty of
raising and feeding cattle and hogs and in both branches of his business is
meeting with a gratifying and well merited measure of success, being well
known as one of the progressive and wide-awake agriculturists and stock-
raisers of the community.
In 1901 Mr. Senior was united in marriage to Miss Sadie E. Stroud, of
Garden Plain township, a daughter of John and Hattie (Emmons) Stroud,
who, after residing in Kansas for some years, returned to Whiteside county.
The Stroud family came from Pennsylvania, while members of the Emmons
family were early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Stroud still survive,
the former being engaged in fanning in Garden Plain township, where he is
well and favorably known. They have four children: Frank, who is a tele-
graph operator; Mrs. Senior; John, a telegraph operator of Leland, Illinois;
and Leonard, at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Senior have been born two chil-
dren: Evelyn, and Everett, deceased.
Mr. Senior is a stalwart champion of the republican party, and his wife is
a member of the Presbyterian church. Their lives have ever been actuated by
high principles and worthy motives and thus they have gained the respect
.and esteem of all with whom thev have come in contact.
JAMES W. ENTWHISTLE.
James W. Entwhistle 'is the owner of a -valuable farm of two hundred
and forty acres on section 34, Ustick township, and the place returns to him
a good annual income because of the care and labor he bestows upon it. He
has made his home in Whiteside county since 1871 and his residence in Illi-
nois dates from 1836. He was born in Philadelphia, August 30, 1831, and was
therefore a little less than five years of age when with his parents he came
1o this state, the family home being established in Galena, Jo Daviess county.
His father, James Entwhistle, a weaver and farmer, spent his early life in
Philadelphia. In the year 1835 he made his way from Philadelphia to Illi-
nois, and settling on the frontier, he aided in reclaiming it for the purposes |
of civilization. He belonged to the Protestant Episcopal church and was a
man of high character. His political allegiance was given to the republican
party. In Philadelphia he married Miss Margaret Wilson and their children
were: Ellen, who died in Philadelphia in early childhood; John; Thomas;
James W. ; Mary Ann, who died in Whiteside county; and Robert, who is aj
retired farmer of Tamaroa, Illinois.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 737
In Galena, Jo Daviess county, amid the wild scenes and environments of
pioneer life, James W. Entwhistle was reared. There were still many evi-
dences of Indian occupancy in the state. U. S. Grant, who was afterward
to attain national prominence as a military hero and to be honored with the
highest official position in the gift of the nation, was in those early times a
worker in the lead mines at Galena and no one dreamed of the destiny that
awaited him. The greater part of the land now embraced within the borders-
of the state was still owned by the government and the city of Chicago had
not been incorporated at the time of Mr. Entwhistle's arrival in Illinois. He
was identified Avith the early development of Jo Daviess county, where he con-
tinued to live for thirty-five years or until 1871, when he came to Whiteside
county and bought a farm of Hiram Strattori, an early settler. He also bought
from John Kent a tract of land, upon which his son, J. J. Entwhistle, now
resides.
Mr. Entwhistle had been married in Elizabeth, Jo Daviess county, to Miss
Ellen Lawton on the 4th of January, 1855. She was born June 13, 1835, near
Hudson, New York. Her parents were natives of England and came to the
United States in 1828. The father died in New York and the mother after-
ward became a resident of Jo Daviess county, Illinois. In the Lawton family
were several children, namely: Joseph, a retired farmer now living in Han-
over, Illinois; Mrs. Caroline Moser, a resident of Dubuque, Iowa; and Oliver
C. Lawton, a farmer residing in Union Grove township, this county. Unto Mr,
and Mrs. Entwhistle have been born the following named: Mrs. Margaret
Odlin, who resides in Union Grove township; John James, who operates a
part of his father's farm in Ustick township and who for several years has
been supervisor there ; Caroline, the wife of W. L. Abbott, of Chicago, a brother
of A. N. Abbott, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume ; Elmer Ellsworth,
who died at the age of two years; Hannah, at home; George W., who is operat-
ing a farm of his own and also a part of his father's land in Ustick township ;
and Nellie, who died in infancy.
Mr. Entwhistle is today the owner of a valuable farm property of two
hundred and forty acres situated on section 34, Ustick township. It is the vis-
ible evidence of his life of thrift and industry, as his possessions have been ac-
quired entirely through his own labor. He has lived to witness remarkable
changes in the state and in the methods of farm life as well. His memory
goes back to a day when the homes were largely log cabins or unpretentious
frame dwellings. Today the great majority of farm houses are commodious
and substantial residences built in modern and attractive style of architecture.
The farm machinery, too, is totally unlike that in use many years ago and in
his work Mr. Entwhistle has always kept in touch with modern, progressive
ideas. He says he remembers one year in which there was no summer here,
the season being so cold throughout the entire year that very poor crops were
harvested. He can remember, too, when great stretches of the country were
covered with the native prairie grasses, starred with a million flowers in June
and in December covered with one unbroken sheet of snow. Deer and other
wild game could be had and wolves and other wild animals were heard in the
forests and on the prairies. He has not only lived to witness a remarkable
738 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
change but has borne his part in the work which has brought this about and
is regarded as one of the valued and representative citizens of his community.
The cause of education has always found in him a warm friend and he has
served as school trustee, while his religious faith is indicated by his member-
ship in the Episcopal church.
JONAS H. BAER.
Like the other thriving towns and cities of the middle west, Sterling has
its full quota of enterprising, energetic business men, men who recognize
and utilize opportunities and s>o place their investments and direct their ener-
gies as to win success. To this class belongs Jonas H. Baer, engaged in the
real-estate, loan and insurance business. He is one of the large landowners,
having excellent income property.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Baer was born in Lancaster county, in
January, 1853. His parents were Martin and Mary (Herr) Baer, also natives
of that county. The paternal grandfather likewise bore the name of Martin
Baer and was born in the Keystone state. For many years he followed farm-
ing in Lancaster county and died there when well advanced in years, while
his wife, Mrs. Martha Baer. was eighty-two years of age at the time of her
demise. The founder of the family in America was the father of Martin Baer,
Sr., who came from Germany to the new world and settled in Lancaster
county.
Martin Baer, the father of Jonas H. Baer, devoted his entire life to gen-
eral agricultural pursuits and in 1857 came to Whiteside county, Illinois,
taking up his abode upon a farm in Jordan township, where he continued to
engage in the tilling of the soil until his death, which occurred May 3, 1887,
when he was sixty-two years of age. His wife still survives him and in relig-
ious faith is a Mennonite, of which sect Mr. Baer was likewise a representative.
He held various township offices and in community affairs took a deep and
helpful interest. He was a very frugal and industrious man, was well read
and, by reason of his many excellent traits of character, commanded the con-
fidence and respect of his neighbors and friends and became one of the influ-
ential farmers of Jordan township. Prospering in his business undertakings
he added to his possessions from time to time until he became the owner of five
farms embracing eight hundred acres. In early manhood he wedded Mary
Herr, a daughter of Henry and Catharine Herr, who were natives of Pennsyl-
vania and lived in Lancaster county. Her father was a farmer and always
made his home in the east but paid a number of visits to Whiteside county,
Illinois. He died at an advanced age and his wife when about sixty, her
death resulting from an accident. They were the parents of ten children, in-
cluding Mrs. Martin Baer, who by her marriage became the mother of five
sons and two daughters, four of whom are now living, namely: Henry, of
Jordan township; Jonas H., of Sterling; Elizabeth, the wife of John Hey, of
Sterling; and Catharine, the wife of Samuel Myers, who resides a mile north
of the city. Those deceased arc Ezra, Abraham and Frank.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 739
J. II. Baer of this review was but four years of age when he came with
his parents to Whiteside county and was here reared to manhood upon his
father'. 8 farm in Jordan township. In his youth his time was alternated be-
tween the acquirement of a district-school education and the work of the home
farm. He continued to live upon the old homestead until 1874, when he
removed to a farm which he purchased in 1886, living there until his removal
to Sterling in 1903. Here he is engaged in the real-estate business. He now
buys and sells farms and farming land on his own account as well as on com-
mission. He owns several farms in South Dakota, near Plankington, and the
remainder in Nebraska. His residence is at No. 504 Seventh avenue and he is
likewise the owner of this property.
On the 12th of September, 1876, Mr. Baer was married to Miss Annie
H. Rutt. a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Rutt, who came fro"m Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, to Illinois in 1864 and settled near Prairieville, Lee
county. Mr. Rutt followed farming there for many years and his wife passed
away there. He afterwards removed to Adams county, Nebraska, locating
near the town of Ayr. By his first marriage he had the following children :
Jacob; Henry; Susan, the wife of Christian Ebersole; Hetty, the wife of
Joseph B. Detweiler; Mary, the deceased wife of Martin Andreas; Fannie, the
wife of J. S. Detweiler ; and Annie, now Mrs. Baer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baer
have been born two sons Roy R. and Bert, and they have also an adopted
daughter, Hazel May.
The parents are members of the English Lutheran church, in the work
of which they are much interested. Mr. Baer has been supervisor of Jordan
township seven terms and school treasurer for about five years, and his fidel-
ity in orfice is indicated by the length of his service. Politically he is a pro-
hibitionist and his influence is ever found on the side of those agencies which
work for the moral betterment of the race. He stands for justice, truth and
right, and as an influential factor in public life in his community he is well
known.
WINGFIELI) J. HARDY.
Wingfield J. Hardy owns and cultivates an excellent farm of one hun-
dred and ten acres in Mount Pleasant township and is numbered among the
leading representative agriculturists of his community. He was born upon
this farm on section 34, February 12, 1858, and is a son of William and
Keziah (Richardson) Hardy, of whom extended mention is made in connec-
tion with the sketch of A. W. Hardy on another page of this work. No event
of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Wingfield
J. Hardy in his boyhood and youth. His time was divided between the work
of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks connected
with the improvement of the fields. His early experience as a farmer well
qualified him to carry on the work which now claims his time and energies.
He has always followed general farming and is today the owner of one hun-
740 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
dred and ten acres of rich and productive land on sections 27 and 34, Mount
Pleasant township. He has brought the fields into a state of rich fertility and
annually harvests good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he be-
stows upon the land.
Mr. Hardy was married in 1882 to Miss Elva E. Seaman, who was born
in Lyndon township and is a daughter of David and Amy (Sweet) Seaman.
One son of that family died in infancy. The father, who was born June
13, 1825, departed this life in the year of 1859, while the mother, who was
born February 11, 1834, is now living in Morrison. Since the death of her
first husband she has become the wife of William Hicks.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hardy have been born two sons Raymond and Carl
A. The elder, born December 29, 1883, married Lillian E. Allen, of Lyndon,
where he now resides. Carl A., born October 9, 1888, is at home with his
parents. The family are widely and favorably known in this community,
their many good traits of character winning them the kindly regard and good
will of those with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Hardy is a
stalwart advocate of the republican party, believing thoroughly in its prin-
ciples, and giving to it earnest support. He and his wife are members of the
Mystic Workers and of the Fraternal Tribune.
WILLIAM WHITE DAVIS.
William White Davis was born in New Holland, Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, October 25, 1836. His father, Gabriel Davis, had Scotch,
Irish and W'elsh blood in his veins. John Anderson, one of his ancestors,
was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1728. Jenkins Davis emigrated
from County Cardigan, Wales, early in 1700. They settled in eastern Penn-
sylvania. The great-grandfather of William W. was an active patriot in the
Revolutionary war, being member of the committee of safety, and captain
of a military company. The mother of William W. was Susanna Roland
Diller, daughter of Jonathan Diller and Ann Weaver. German on both
sides. Gabriel Davis and Susanna Diller were married in Philadelphia,
1835, at the Episcopal residence by William White, first bishop of Penn-
sylvania. From this venerable and saintly prelate, the first son of this
marriage, William W T hite received his name.
William grew up in New Holland and received his early education
in the village school. Two pleasing and profitable episodes in his youthful
years. In 1849 he accompanied his father to Washington and saw Presi-
dent Taylor, Henry Clay, Thomas H. Benton, and the giants of that time.
In 1851 he and his father made a delightful tour of two months in the
west, going to Pittsburg by rail and canal, by boat on Ohio and Mississippi,
traveled by stage over Illinois, had an interview with Lincoln at Springfield,
returning by Chicago, Niagara Falls, Hudson and New York. From 1852
to 1853 he was at the Lancaster high school, from 1853 to 1856 at Franklin
and Marshall College. He took the honors of his class at commencement
MRS. W. W. DAVIS
LIBRARY
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10
HISTORY OF WH1TESIDE COUNTY 743
and had the distinction of delivering his address, "Decline of Political
Integrity," before the coming president, James Buchanan.
Removing to Sterling, Illinois, with his father's family, Mr. Davis
entered upon the profession of teaching, which he continued for twenty
years. During his stay at Dixon, he prepared a small manual on Composi-
tion Writing, which was published by George Sherwood, Chicago, and
received the commendation of Newton Bateman, Richard Edwards and John
S. Hart, educators all now gone to 'their reward.
In 1875 Mr. Davis was offered the position of associate editor on The
Express, a daily of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which he held until he accepted
a, similar position on The Press, Philadelphia, then conducted by John W.
Farney. Here he remained during the winter of 1876-1877, and in the
spring returned to Illinois. In August,. 1879, he was married to Miss Maggie
A. Wolfersperger, daughter of John and Lydia Wolfersperger, prosperous
farmers of Jordan township, north of Sterling. After two years of domestic
happiness at Birdwood, west of Emerson, a pleasant rural retreat, Mr. and
Mrs. Davis removed to Sterling in 1881, where they have since resided in a
charming cottage on the banks of Rock river.
During his college course Mr. Davis was a regular attendant at St.
James' church, and enjoyed the earnest discourses of Samuel Bowman, after-
ward bishop of Pennsylvania. On his removal to Sterling, the family found
the Presbyterian church most convenient, the pastor, Rev. E. Erskine, grad-
uate of Princeton, attracting all classes by his earnest manner and kindly
sympathy. Since his marriage, he has accompanied his wife to the Lutheran
church, was fourteen years superintendent of the Sunday school, and is now
teaching a Bible class of fifty men and women.
In the spring of 1890 Mr. Davis gratified a long cherished desire of his
life by joining an excursion to Europe and the Holy Land, visiting Ant-
werp, Switzerland, Italy, Egypt, Jerusalem, Paris, London, and Edinburgh.
On his return he delivered some lectures on his trip, "Jerusalem and the
Pyramids," "A Sunday Morning With Spurgeon," "A Week in London."
His tales are literary. Autographs are a hobby, and his collection of
poets, statesmen, heroes, divines, begun in 1865, richly illustrated, has few
equals in the country. He is a constant contributor to the press. The
Gazette of Sterling is printing a series of sketches on "Men and Women
I've Met," notable people of a life-time, that has reached the sixtieth num-
ber of the series. He is a favorite writer for the Lutheran Observer, Phila-
delphia.
The Whiteside County Historical Society was brought into being by his
efforts in 1903, and now has a large and valuable collection of books, papers
and curios of every name.
His letter writing has given Mr. Davis a peculiar local distinction. He
has made numerous trips, short and extended, and never fails to despatch
a daily bulletin of things as he sees them to his home papers. In this way,
people have traveled with him. His letters from Europe and Egypt, Colo-
rado, Washington and New York, Quebec, Mexico, Dakota, Havana, Florida.,
New Orleans, Chattanooga, would fill several volumes. Scarcely a day when
744 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
at home that he has not a paragraph for the journals about some current
topic.
Two children have blessed the union. John, after enjoying four years
at the high school in Sterling, took four years in civil engineering at Illi-
nois University, Champaign, and is now married and engaged in his profes-
sion in Chicago. The younger child, Susanna Roland, also passed through
the high school and is now in her second year of a general classical course
at Oberlin College, Ohio.
JOSEPH L. PFUNDSTEIN.
Joseph L. Pfundstein, who is successfully carrying on agricultural pur-
suits on section 16, Jordan township, was born in this township on the 18th
of April, 1866, his parents being Joseph and Caroline (Winkle) Pfundstein,
natives of Wittenberg, Germany, who emigrated to America in 1854. The
father, whose birth occurred March 4, 1828. passed away March 11, 1901. On
his arrival in the new world he located in Harrisville, Pennsylvania, where he
remained for ten years, on the expiration of which period he came to Jordan
township. Whiteside county, Illinois. This remained his place of residence
until 1898, when he removed to Sterling.
On the 10th of October, 1864, at Dixon, he enlisted for service in the
Union army as a member of Company A, Thirty-fourth Regiment of Illi-
nois Volunteers, under Captain W. C. Robinson. He was with the army dur-
ing the last nine months of the war and took part in a number of spirited
engagements, including the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, on the 16th of
December, 1864. In this encounter the fore finger of his right hand was
shot oft and he was taken to a hospital at Jefferson, Indiana, where he re-
mained for ninety days, being subsequently engaged as steward in this hospi-
tal and serving in that capacity until his honorable discharge on July 18, 1865.
He was a member of Will Robinson Post and for many years was actively
identified with the West Jordan Lutheran church, which he also assisted in
building, and of which he served as a trustee for twelve years. Moreover, he
was prominent in local political circles, serving as tax collector and road com-
missioner of the town of Jordan for many years, while for nineteen years he
was school director of the Jordan Center school. He was widely recognized
as one of the prominent and prosperous agriculturists of the community and
at his death left several valuable farms in Jordan. Jovial in disposition, kindly
in action and straightforward and honorable in all the relations of life, he
won the respect and admiration of his fellowmen, and when he was called
to his final rest the county mourned the loss of one of its honored pioneers
and public spirited citizens.
On the 24th of September, 1859, at Culpville, Pennsylvania, Joseph
Pfundstein was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Winkle, by whom he had
eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. Seven sons and two daughters
still survive, namely : Thomas, Joseph L., Frank and John, all of whom are
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 745
successfully carrying on farming in Jordan township; Jacob, a prominent
agriculturist of Rock Island Junction; Andrew, now groceryman of Sterling;
Richard, residing in Sterling; Mrs. Jabez Gilbert, of Jordan; and Amanda,
wife of William Zigler, of Emerson. The father of this family is survived
by two brothers and two sisters: Thomas, of Sterling; George, who resides in
Erie; Mrs. J. G. Frank, living in Jordan; and Miss Anna Pfundstein, who
makes her home in Germany.
Joseph L. Pfundstein of this review pursued his education in the com-
mon schools and when he had attained the age of nineteen years began working
in a creamery, being thus employed for thirteen years. On the expiration of
that period he took up farming a.nd has since been successfully engaged in
this line of activity, being now the owner of one hundred and eighty-two
acres of land on section 16, Jordan township, which he has cultivated and
improved until it is now one of the model farms of the locality.
On the 9th of February, 1897, Joseph L. Pfundstein was joined in wed-
lock to Miss Barbara Woessner, a daughter of Mathias and Christina (Hau-
breaur) Woessner, both natives of Germany, where they still reside, the
father being a shoemaker. Their daughter, Mrs. Pfundstein, came to the
United States in 1892, and her brothers and sisters are as follows: Mathias,
living on a farm in Whiteside county ; John, also an agriculturist of this coun-
ty; Christina, who resides in Germany; Will, likewise a farmer of Whiteside
county; and Dora Schick.
In the county where his entire life has been passed Joseph L. Pfundstein
is well and favorably known, having the warm esteem and confidence of all
with whom he has come in contact by reason of his genuine personal worth
and unfaltering integrity. He is a member of the West Jordan Lutheran
church and by his ballot supports the republican party. He has served as as-
sessor of Jordan township for two years and school director for six years,
holding the latter office at the present time.
FRANK DETWEILER.
Frank Detweiler, who carries on general farming on section 15, Jordan
township, was born on the old family homestead in that township, May 5,
1870, his parents being Henry M. and Magdalena (Detweiler) Detweiler, both
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.
Frank Detweiler attended the common schools, spending his boyhood
days under the parental roof, and when not busy with his text-books worked
iu the fields, assisting his father in the care and improvement of the property.
He remained at home until twenty-four years of age and then started out in
life on his own account, beginning the operation of the farm upon which he
now resides.
He was married on the 6th of June, 1900, to Miss Edith Elizabeth Eshle-
man, a daughter of Albert and Mary (Rhoades) Eshleman, who were natives
of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They came to Whiteside county in 1879
746 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
and have resided here continuously since, with the exception of a few years
passed in the east. They are now residents of Sterling township. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Detweiler have been born three children Fay Everett, Ethel Marie
and Harold Albert.
The parents are well known in the community, where they have a circle
of warm and loyal friends. Mr. Detweiler gives his political allegiance to the
republican party, but is not an official aspirant, preferring to concentrate
his energies upon his business affairs rather than seek office. He now has the
management of the old homestead farm of two hundred and fifteen acres of
rich and productive land and in addition to the cultivation of the fields and
the production of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he likewise raises
stock and also engages in dairying, and in his business is meeting with suc-
cess.
DANIEL B. KENWOOD.
Daniel B. Henvvood, one of the venerable citizens of Erie, was born July
22, 1824, probably in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He has resided in White-
side county from the pioneer epoch in its history, and has been closely asso-
ciated with its business development and substantial progress. He was only
a year old when his parents removed to Bucyrus, Ohio, and soon afterward
the family home was established in Huron county, Ohio, where they lived
for seven years. The parents were Peter and Sarah (Shapley) Henwood.
The father, a native of Germany, died in Bucyrus, Ohio, when his son Daniel
was but four years of age, while the mother spent her last days in Angola,
Indiana. He was a blacksmith by trade, and there seemed nothing that he
could not make out of steel, even to a gun. He learned the trade in Phila-
delphia, serving a seven years' apprenticeship, and became an expert in his
line. He was twice married, and by his first marriage had one son, William
Henvvood. After losing his first wife he was married again in Pennsylvania,
and by that union there were five sons and three daughters. All of the sons
of William Henwood served under General Sherman in the Civil war, and the
daughters carried on the home farm while their brothers were at the front.
They lost several horses when General Lee made his raid into Pennsylvania.
The mother was also married twice, her first husband being William Jackson,
and their children were David, Jerusha, Rufus and James. By the second
marriage of Peter Henwood and Sarah Shapley there were three children,
Daniel, Peter and Thomas, but the subject of this review is the only one now
living. As stated, the family lived in Huron county for seven years. The
next removal took them to Steuben county, Indiana, in 1837, driving through
the black swamp. The roads much of the way were very bad and they could
cover but a mile or two in a day. They continued to reside in Steuben
county, Indiana, until 1847, when they started across the country with team
and wagon to Chicago, and thence proceeded westward, locating at Cascade,
about twenty-six miles from Dubuque, Iowa, where Daniel B. Henwood re-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 747
mained for a short time. For three years he traveled through Illinois as a
peddler and never crossed a railroad track during that time. He next turned
his attention to the practice of medicine as a nurse, in connection with Dr.
Dungan, of Galena. While thus engaged for three years he spent part of the
time in Springfield, Illinois, and part in Peoria county, and in 1851 he ar-
rived in Erie, where he purchased the old car ferry, which operated where
the bridge now stands, continuing to conduct the ferry until the bridge was
built. He also established a hardware and drug store and carried on farming
interests in connection with the operation of the ferry and the conduct of
his store, devoting his attention to all three lines of activity during the period
of the Civil war. Recently he sold his farm to his son. He platted several
lots, known as the Kenwood addition, comprising twenty-two acres of land
in the eastern part of the town, and is thus contributing to the substantial
development and upbuilding of Erie.
In June, 1852, Mr. llenwood was married to Miss Lydia Coburn, a na-
tive of New York, born January 4, 1828. She came to Illinois with her
parents, Charles and Hannah (Maxwell) Coburn, and for forty-seven years
traveled life's journey with Mr. Kenwood as his faithful companion and
helpmate. They were separated in death in 1899, Mrs. Henwood being called
from this life on the 26th of January of that year. Their children were seven
in number: Burton, who died in childhood; Butler, who conducts a dray
line in Erie; Charles, who died in infancy; Ida, the wife of George Baker, of
Marion, North Dakota; Mary, who died at the age of three years; Carrie,
the wife of F. E. Burridge, a druggist of Erie; and Frank, of Texas. Since
the death of his wife, Mr. Henwood has made his home witK Mr. and Mrs.
Burridge. He is one of the prominent and honored old pioneer settlers of
this county and has attained the age of eighty-four years. He figures as one.
of the characters in M. M. Kirkman's story of "The Romans of Gilbert
Holmes." Mr. Kirkman, who is the second vice-president of the North-
western Railroad, was reared by Mr. Henwood, becoming a member of his
household at the age of five years and remaining with him until he started
out in life on his own account. With the early development and progress
of the county Mr. Henwood was closely associated and for many years figured
in its business life, and is still supervising his invested interests. He has an
extensive acquaintance in Whiteside county, and wherever known is respected
and honored; receiving the esteem and veneration which should ever be ac-
corded one who has advanced thus far on the journey of life.
WILLIAM T: GALT.
William T. Gait is numbered among the native sons of Sterling who have
found the city as a place of residence so attractive and its business opportuni-
ties so favorable that they have had no desire to seek homes elsewhere. Mr.
Gait was born October 26, 1873, and has spent his entire life in Sterling. He
attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades and later con-
748 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
tinued his education in Williston Seminary at East Hampton, Massachu-
setts. He then began writing life, fire and accident insurance and still con-
tinues in that line, also conducting a real-estate and loan business as senior
partner of the firm of William T. Gait & Company, with offices in the Gait
House block. He is thoroughly conversant with the opportunities offered by
insurance protection, and as representative of a number of the old standard
companies he has secured a large clientage in this direction. He is, moreover,
well known through his operations in real estate and in placing loans and in
all departments of his business has gained a gratifying patronage.
On the 27th of January, 1905, William T. Gait was married to Miss Re-
becca S. Weeks, a daughter of George D. and Jane Weeks. They have one
child, Elizabeth Jane Gait. The mother is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and is prominent socially in Sterling. Mr. Gait belongs to Rock
River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M.; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M.;
Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T. ; and Tabula Temple of the Mystic
Shrine. He resides at No. 91 2 West Fourth street, and in the city where his
entire life has been passed has a wide and favorable acquaintance that is
indicative of his many commendable traits of character.
RUSSELL, BURDSALL & WARD BOLT & NUT COMPANY.
The record of Rock Falls' industrial development would be incomplete
without some mention of the Russell, Burdsall & Ward Bolt & Nut Company,
which is conducting an important enterprise in this city, with Allen N. Brad-
ford as manager. The original partners, Ellwood Burdsall and W'illiam E.
Ward, became acquainted in New York City in the winter of 1844, and on the
1st of October, 1845, formed a partnership for the manufacture of screws,
Mr. Ward becoming impressed with the idea that he could devise machines
for screw manufacture more economically than had previously been done.
They rented a room with power at Pemberwick, Connecticut, put in a lathe,
and Mr. Ward started upon the work, but the machine which he brought
forth was not entirely successful, and when the New England Screw Company
obtained a patent on the gimlet-pointed wood screw, which was so superior to
the unpointed screws manufactured by Russell & Ward, the latter firm aban-
doned work of that character; but from Thomas Southard, a stove manu-
facturer of New York City, Mr. Burdsall received the suggestion that if the
screws they manufactured Avere fitted with nuts they would answer for put-
ting stoves together. In 1847 a third interest in the business was sold to
Russell, Mackay & Beach, and the name changed to Russell, Burdsall &
Company. Mr. Burdsall took some samples of stove bolts to Albany and
obtained some good order*. In July, 1850, Mr. Ward obtained a patent on
an open die header, used for making carriage and plow bolts. Some of these
were made of square iron, while carriage bolts were made out of round iron
and the square under the head upset into the dies. In 1851 Mr. Russell pur-
chased the interest of both Mackay and Beach, and the name was changed
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 749
to Russell, Burdsall & Ward. The work of invention and manufacture were
carried steadily forward, and in 1852 Mr. Ward obtained a patent on a solid
die heading, machine, which overcame the difficulties met with in his old
roulette machine. In 1856 Mr. Ward obtained a patent on a machine for
forging nuts, which was operated successfully till about 1880. Throughout
the years changes were made which introduced improvements of value in the
manufacture of screws and bolts and in the nature of the iron utilized.
In 1866 the business was re-organized as a joint stock corporation, with
Mr. Russell as president; Mr. Burdsall, attorney and general agent; Samuel
Comly, secretary and treasurer; and Mr. Ward, manager. During the subse-
quent prosecution of the business, various changes and modifications were
made in the machines used. A great many machines were devised for au-
tomatically finishing the bolts, some of which were eminently successful, such
as automatically pointing and threading bolts, and shavers for shaving the
heads of carriage bolts, and machinery for automatically tapping nuts.
In 1871 William E. Ward became president of the company, and from
1880 until 1882 was busy devising machinery for the manufacture of cold cut
nuts and finishing machines for tire bolts, and in the latter year organized
the Portchester Bolt & Nut Company for the manufacture of these goods. This
company was very successful and its business grew rapidly. In 1889 Richard
H. Burdsall became treasurer of the company, while Ellwood Burdsall, Jr.,
owing to the enfeebled health of Mr. Ward, assumed the direction of the
mechanical department. He has also designed many machines that are in
successful operation. In 1900 Mr. Ward, the president, died, and his son,
William L. Ward, succeeded as president of both companies, which were con-
solidated April 15, 1901. under the name of the Russell, Burdsall & Ward
Bolt & Nut Company.
The company's mode of manufacture in the beginning differed very
little from all other carriage bolt and nut makers at that time. The bolts
were forged from heated square bars of iron, mostly by hand. William E.
Ward concluded that a large saving in iron could be made by making a
. a hort, stove-in square by heading bolts off the rod from round iron. This
idea was put into effect, but it was some time before the public adopted it.
The company was the first to construct the bolt heading machine, on which
stove and tire bolts were forged cold, automatically, and with this machine
the first stove bolts placed on the American market were manufactured.
Shaved and slotted stove bolts and turned head tire bolts were first offered to
the trade in 1855. In 1856 Mr. Ward completed the first forged or hammer
nut machine ever invented, and although it was not successful, he continued
his work until he succeeded in perfecting machines that produced more than
thirty thousand forged nuts daily. In 1857 the company matured a new
and distinct process of bolt manufacture, working the iron cold and making
the bolts complete without heating except for annealing before turning the
heads. The work of perfecting machines and the output was carried stead-
ily forward, and as time passed new additional machines were invented and
new buildings erected, with proportional facilities as business required, until
Russell, Burdsall & Ward became the largest full square carriage bolt manu-
750 HISTOKY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
faeturers in America. The company owns its own peculiar class of machinery
and has introduced various improvements, some patented and others not,
which have been especially useful in making goods of which they were for years
the almost exclusive producers. Among these was an ingeniously contrived
machine for forming the point and cutting the thread with a chasing tool, au-
tomatically feeding the blanks into jaws, which seized the end bearing the
head, advancing it against a tool which formed the point, the blank then
passing to a chasing tool which cut the thread as by an engine lathe. No
doubt Mr. Ward's greatest achievement was the invention of his cold nut
machine in 1880, on which he further improved and secured a patent De-
cember 7, 1886. So successful was the invention that the company estab-
lished one of the largest tire bolt trades in the country. Another remark-
able feature of the Russell, Burdsall & Ward establishment is the perform-
ance of nearly all branches of labor by machinery. Time has tested the
methods of their inventions and their products and placed the stamp of ap-
proval upon all.
WILLIAM M. KILGOUR.
William M. Kilgour, for many years a prominent citizen of Whiteside
county, was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of
Ezekiel J. Kilgour, who was also born in the Keystone state and engaged in
farming in Sterling township, this county, following his removal to the
middle west. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Whiteside county, aiding
in the reclamation of wild land for the uses of civilization and thus extending
the frontier. He wedded Eliza Graham, who died at the age of eighty-nine
years, while he, too, passed away when well advanced in age. They were
the parents of four children : Nancy Jane, who became the wife of John B.
Crawford and died at Lohrvilte, Iowa; William M., of this review; Ezekial
J., who was a soldier of the Civil war and died in Nashville, Tennessee; and
Mary Belle, who died in Fairbury, Illinois.
William M. Kilgour came with his father's family to Sterling in 1827.
He was then buf a boy and the journey over the mountains in a wagon and
across the prairies of Indiana and Illinois made a deep impression upon his
memory. The family spent the first winter in a little cabin on Elkhorn
creek, near what is now called Emerson. They then removed to the present
site of Sterling and settled on the banks of the Rock 'river, only a few yards
from the present residence of W. W. Davis. Ezekiel Kilgour there purchased
a quarter section of land and upon the new farm William M. Kilgour was
reared. Because of the remoteness from the older centers of civilization the
family were forced to endure many hardships and privations, but it is a well-
known fact that for thousands of stalwart Americans the west has been the
field of opportunity, not only for business successes, but for character develop-
ment. Upon the frontier a man is not judged by his ancestry or his posses-
sions but by his character and worth, and the Kilgour family had no diffi-
culty in establishing their right to rank with the foremost.
LIBRAHY
OF TH
VXIVESSITY OF ILL!J!0!C
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 753
William M. Kilgour aided in the development of the home farm, and
having arrived at mature years devoted the summer months to general agri-
cultural pursuits, while. in the winter seasons he taught school at Linden,
driving to and from his home. He regarded this, however, as an initial step
to other professional labor, and becoming imbued with the desire to engage
in the practice of law he utilized every moment for the mastery of the prin-
ciples of jurisprudence and in due course of time was admitted to practice in
all the courts of the state at the term of the supreme court held in Ottawa in
1856. Later he was admitted to practice in the United State? district and
circuit courts and in the supreme court of the United States at Washington.
He first opened a law office in Sterling, where he remained continuously as
an active member of the profession up to the time of his death, save for the
period of his service in the Civil war. He became recognized as one of the
ablest members of the Whiteside county bar. His devotion to his clients'
interests was proverbial, but he never forgot that he owed a still higher alle-
giance to the majesty of the law. In the preparation of his cases he was
thorough and in their presentation clear and forceful, his deductions follow-
ing in logical sequence, while his citations of law and precedent were almost
uniformly correct. Soon after his admission to the bar he was elected justice
of the peace in Sterling township and filled that office for four years, also
serving for several terms as supervisor.
As stated, the only interruption to his practice came when at the front
he defended the Union cause as a member of the Thirteenth Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry. He joined Company B and was elected second lieutenant.
He remained at the front with his regiment for a year, participating in the
battles of Wet Glaze, Lion Creek and Springfield, Missouri, and was then
compelled to resign on account of illness. As soon as he had recovered his
health, however, he re-enlisted at the call of the president in 1862 for six
hundred thousand more troops and was instrumental in raising the Seventy-
fifth Illinois Volunteer Regiment. On the organization of Company I he
was elected its captain and on the organization of the regiment was chosen
major, with which rank he went to the front. In the battle of Perryville,
Kentucky, October 8, 1862, he sustained a gunshot wound which was so
serious that he was carried from the battlefield to a farmhouse near by, where
he remained under the care of the army .surgeon until January, 1863. He
was then taken to Louisville, Kentucky, and eventually returned home on
sick leave. But patriotism was dominant to all else in his life at that time
and as soon as his health permitted he rejoined his regiment at Stephenson,
Alabama, and participated in the battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and
20, 1863. There he was taken prisoner, but with Company D, commanded
by Captain Moore, he cut his way through the enemy's lines and joined his
regiment. He also participated in the defense of Chattanooga and at one
time was completely surrounded by the enemy, all communication being cut
off. Later he participated in the battle of Lookout Mountain, November 24,
1863, being in the advance under General Hooker. He was in the thickest
of the fight at Missionary Ridge, and also met the enemy at Ringgold Gap
and Taylor's Ridge, subsequent to which time he was sent with the detail
754 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
to recover the Chickamauga battleground and bury the dead, arriving there
December 5, 1863. In February, 1864, he was under fire at Buzzard's Roost,
near Dalton, Georgia, commanding the Eightieth Illinois Infantry by order
of General William Gross, who was in command of the brigade. In May,
1864, he led his troops in the battles of Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge and
Dalton, followed by the two days' battle of Resaca and the engagements in
June, 1864, at Kensington, Cassville, Cartersville, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Pine
Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain. On the 1st of July, 1864, he commanded
the skirmish line at Atlanta, and again on the 24th of August, when General
Sherman was marching to the right and rear of that place. At Jonesboro,
on the 30th of the same month, he was again under Confederate fire and at
Lovejoy Station, September 2, 1864. After participating in the battle of
Lost Mountain, Georgia, he pursued the rebel general Hood to Gaylesville,
Alabama, and from that point was sent in command of a detail of the
Seventy-fifth Illinois through the enemy's country. He next participated in
the battles of Athens and Dalton, Georgia; Pulaski and Spring Hill, Tennes-
see, and was in the sanguinary conflict at Franklin, Tennessee, November 30,
1864, when seven hundred killed and wounded lay on the Confederate
battleground. Later he had charge of a skirmish line at the battle of Nash-
ville on the first day and on the second day charged the first and second lines
of the enemy's works with the Seventy-fifth Illinois and captured them. He
was brevetted colonel for gallant and meritorious service at Missionary Ridge
and brigadier general for similar service at Atlanta. On the 28th of July,
1866, he was appointed captain in the regular army and was brevetted major,
lieutenant colonel and colonel in recognition of the splendid aid he rendered
his country while with the volunteer army. His loyalty was ever above
question and his own bravery inspired the men under him to deeds of valor
and heroism. He was at all times a soldierly man in his presence and bear-
ing and while at the head of his troops, although he maintained rigid dis-
cipline, he also had the full love and confidence of those who served tinder
him.
When the war was over Colonel Kilgour returned to Sterling and re-
sumed the practice of law, being accorded a large and distinctively repre-
sentative clientage. He also invested quite extensively in realty in the city
and in Sterling township and was otherwise identified with the business
interests of the city. In matters of citizenship he ever stood for progress,
reform and improvement and was the stalwart champion of many measures
for the general good. Honorable and upright in every relation of life, he
was respected by all who knew him and in his home community his fellow
townsmen had for him the most sincere friendship. He died at San Jose,
California, May 29, 1885, at the age of fifty-seven years, and was survived
for only a year by his wife, who was then laid to rest by his side in a ceme-
tery at San Jose. His death resulted from a gunshot wound which he re-
ceived at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862.
Colonel Kilgour married Miss Mary Isabelle Junkin. a native of Iowa
and a daughter of Judge Benjamin Junkin, who for many years served on
the bench in that state and was succeeded by his eon Benjamin. The father
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 755
lived in Muscatine and was a very prominent and influential resident of
Iowa, leaving the impress of his individuality indelibly upon the judicial and
political history of the state and upon the substantial development of the
community. His wife, Mrs. Susan Junkin, lived to an advanced age. They
reared a large family, of whom one daughter, Miss Alice Junkin, is still
living in Muscatine. In the family of Colonel and Mrs. Kilgour were five
children, but only three are now living: Eliza G., the wife of E. C. Tracy, of
Chicago; James Albee, of Sterling; and William S., who is living in Roswell,
New Mexico.
GEORGE D. GREENOITGH.
George D. Greenough, junior partner of the firm of Greenough & Gait,
conducting real estate and insurance offices in the Gait House block, at Ster-
ling, is a native son of the county, his birth having occurred at Rock Island
Junction, just west of Sterling, on the 21st of April, 1880. The Greenough
family is of English lineage, and at an early period in the colonization of
New England was established in Boston. At one time a member of the
family owned Staten Island. James Greenough, the grandfather of George
I). Greenough, lived for many years retired in Boston as a well-to-do man, and
passed away there when about sixty years of age.
His son, James S. Greenough, father of our subject, was born in Boston
and became a railroad man and telegraph operator. He arrived in Sterling
when about nineteen or twenty years of age and continued a resident of the
city throughout the remainder of his life. He was engaged in the retail and
wholesale oil business here before the Standard Oil Company took the field,
and during the last ten or twelve years of his life he lived retired, enjoying
in well earned rest the competence which he had acquired in his active busi-
ness career. Always fond of travel, he had visited South America and Nova
Scotia before he was fourteen years of age. When twenty years of age he
lost a limb in a railroad accident, but this disaster seemed to prove no bar to
his success, and for a long period he was accounted one of the enterprising
and energetic business men of Sterling. He died in 1901, at the age of fifty-
two years, and is still survived by his wife, who resides at No. 411 Avenue B.
Mr. Greenough was an Odd Fellow in his fraternal relations, and in religious
faith his wife was an Episcopalian. She bore the maiden name of Nellie E.
Kitel, and was a daughter of George B. Kitel, a native of Vermont. He be-
came connected with railroad interests and, following his removal to Illinois,
aided in the construction of the Northwestern Railroad. He rode on the first
engine, called the Old Pioneer, that made the first trip out of Sterling. For
some years he served as postmaster of this city, and was a prominent Mason
here, becoming a charter member of Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. &
A. M. His daughter, Mrs. Greenough, was born in this county. By her
marriage she became the mother of two daughters: Fannie M., the wife of
W. F. Lipp; and Helen M., the wife of J. F. Wahl.
756 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
George D. Greenough, the only son and the youngest member of the
family, has been a resident of Sterling throughout his entire life, and is
indebted to the public schools and the old Wallace school for his education.
He entered business circles in his father's office, and afterward embarked in
the real-estate and insurance business, admitting Frank Gait to a partner-
ship in 1905, under the firm style of Greenough & Gait. They now have
many clients and are conducting a business which in volume and importance
makes them leading representatives of their line in Whiteside county.
On the 15th of August, 1902, George D. Greenough was married to Miss
Evelyn B. Coe, a daughter of Mark I;, and Julia A. (Gait) Coe. Mrs. Green-
ough Is a member of the Presbyterian church, while Mr. Greenough is a
communicant of the Episcopal church. He also affiliates with Rock River
Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M., and in politics is a republican, who, though
never seeking office for himself, gives his influence on the side of progress
and reform, as so many business men of today are doing this constituting
the most hopeful political sign of the period. He resides at No. 409 Avenue
B, where, in 1906, he erected a beautiful home, which architecturally is an
adornment to the city, while its gracious hospitality makes it the center of a
cultured society circle.
BARTHOLOMEW KNISKERN.
Bartholomew Kniskern, one of the early settlers of Whiteside county,
who has now passed away, was born in Fultonham, Schoharie county, New
York, May 22, 1823. His parents, Peter and Nancy (Vrooman) Kniskern,
were likewise natives of Fultonham, where they spent their entire lives, the
father dying at the age of sixty years, while the mother passed away at the
.age of seventy-nine. As the name indicates, the family is of German lineage.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kniskern were born five daughters and two sons.
Of this family Bartholomew, reared under the parental roof, remained a
resident of his native village until 1865, when the opportunities of the west
drew him to Illinois, and with his family he came to Lyndon.
Mr. Kuiskern had been married in the east to Miss Caroline Haynes,
who was born in Fultonham, June 16, 1820. On the journey westward they
proceeded by rail to Morrison over the Northwestern Railroad, which was
then the only line in Whiteside county, and from that town they continued
on their way by wagon to Lyndon. The father purchased a farm of eighty
acres on the open prairie on section 17, Lyndon township, and at once began
to cultivate and improve the place. As the years passed he transformed it
into a valuable property, erecting thereon the present buildings, setting out
fine fruit trees, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation, and other-
wise carrying on the work of agricultural development up to the time of his
death. In addition to producing wheat, corn and other cereals usually culti-
vated on Illinois farms, he likewise raised broom corn, as he had done in New
York, and made and sold brooms throughout this and adjoining counties.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 757
In New York he also had a hop yard and employed many hop pickers. He
was a most hospitable man, and he and his wife delighted in entertaining
their many friends. They had dishes sufficient to set a table for sixty people,
but on one occasion, when the house was struck by lightning, the greater part
of their dishes were destroyed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kniskern were members
of the American Lutheran church, while living in New York, and after their
removal to, the west attended the Congregational church. They were widely
recognized as earnest Christian people, and enjoyed in large measure the
esteem and good will of neighbors and all with whom they came in contact.
The death of Mr. Kniskern occurred in August, 1874, when he was fifty-
one years of age. For five years after his death Mrs. Kniskern continued on
the home farm which she then rented and purchased a dwelling in the
village of Lyndon, where she continued to reside until called to her final rest,
on the 8th of March, 1907, when in her eighty-seventh year. In the family
of this worthy couple were five children : Freeman, a carpenter now living
in Lyndon; John, who died in his forty-ninth year; Peter, who died at the
age of fourteen years; Henry, who passed away in his forty-eighth year; and
Mrs. Anna L. Bouck, who was born August 6, 1857, and is the widow of
Albert Bouck. They were married in New York, where she was visiting at
the time. Mr. Bouck died about sixteen months later, and his widow returned
to Lyndon, where she has since made her home. For four years she had charge
of the postotfice at this place, her brother, John, having been appointed post-
master. She was also associated with her brother in conducting the grocery
department of his store, and after his death she assumed the management of
the dry goods department as well. She has since been conducting this gen-
eral store for a period of nine years, and she and her brother have been in
charge for fifteen years. Mrs. Bouck is a lady of good business ability, execu-
tive force and displays keen discernment in the management of her mercan-
tile interests. She has, moreover, attractive social qualities that have won
her many friends here. By her marriage she became the mother of one
daughter: Neta, who is now the wife of G. D. Maxfield. They have one
child, Mildred Caryl, and reside with her mother, Mrs. Bouck.
THOMAS A. DRAIN.
The history of the pioneer settlement of Whiteside county would be in-
complete without the record of Thomas A. Drain, who from its earliest period
has been a prominent factor in the substantial growth and improvement of
this section of the state. Mr. Drain is a native of Kentucky, his birth having
occurred on the 28th of November, 1832. His parents were Joseph and Julia
(Walker) Drain, the former born in Kent, England, while the birth of the
latter occurred in Virginia. In the winter of 1832 the parents located in
McDonough county, Illinois, where they made their home for eleven years,
subsequent to which time, in 1843, they took up their abode in Warren
county, this state, where they lived during the succeeding ten years, while in
758 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
1854 they established their home in Whiteside county. Here the father
entered a tract of government land, on which he built a log house containing
but one room, with puncheon floor and clapboard roof, this being the home
of the family for several years. Their family numbered five children, of
whom our subject is the eldest. He has a brother, George Drain, who resides
in Henry county, Illinois, while his sister Mary makes her home in Kansas.
The two youngest members of the family are deceased. The death of the
parents occurred in Whiteside county, and thus passed away two of the
highly respected pioneer settlers of this section of the state.
Thomas A. Drain, although born in the old Blue Grass state, has spent
nearly his entire life in Illinois, being an infant at the time of the removal
of the family to this state, and a young man of twenty-one when he accom-
panied the family on their removal to Whiteside county. During the period
of his boyhood and youth he assisted his father in the work of the fields, shar-
ing with the other members of the family the hardships and trials that must
necessarily be met in the establishment of a home on the frontier. His edu-
cation was acquired in the common schools, where he gained a fair knowl-
edge of the English branches. Upon attaining his majority he started out in
life on his own account, and' purchased forty acres of land at a dollar and a
quarter per acre. He later added an additional tract of forty acres, paying
for this two dollars and a half per acre, while still later he bought forty acres
more at twenty cents per acre, this being secured at an auction.
He first built a small frame shanty, twelve by fourteen feet, in which
he made his home for twelve years, but this home has since been replaced
by a more modern and pretentious structure, and he has also added many
improvements and accessories, so that his place is now a valuable property,
comprising one hundred and twenty acres, from which he derives a good
rental, while he is now living retired in Prophetstown. When he located in
this district the Indians were still living here, while deer and other wild game
were very plentiful. In 1857 he had a ten-acre field of wheat which he was
compelled to watch in order to keep the wild deer and wild geese from de-
stroying it. The nearest trading point was Peru, so that the family was put
to great inconvenience in order to market their products and make their
purchases of provisions and other necessities of life.
In 1858 Mr. Drain was united in marriage to Miss Anna Leavenworth,
who was born in Vermont, but came to Illinois at a very early day, she being
one of a family of five children. By her marriage she became the mother of
six children, as follows: Julia; Carrie; Herbert, deceased; Sadie, who has
also passed away; and Matie and Grace, twins. The wife and mother died
in 1900, and thus passed away one of the highly esteemed women of White-
side county, for she had gained many warm friends through her good traits
of heart and mind.
Mr. Drain gives his political support to the men and measures of de-
mocracy, and has filled several township offices. He is a Mason, belonging
to Blue Lodge, No. 293, at Prophetstown, and has filled most of the chairs in
that body. He is identified with the society of Christian Scientists. Fifty-
four years have come and gone since Mr. Drain arrived in Whiteside county,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 759
and Prophetstown had not then been laid out. During the intervening period
he has been a prominent factor in the agricultural development of this sec-
tion of the state, and his memory goes back to the time when this section
was but sparsely settled; when the Indians were more numerous than the white
race, and the land had not been reclaimed for the purposes of cultivation, but
remained in the primitive condition in which it came from the hand of na-
ture. In former years he worked hard and energetically to acquire a com-
fortable competence, and now, at the advanced age of seventy-six years, he is
able to live retired in a pleasant home in Prophetstown, where he is sur-
rounded by a host of warm friends.
JAMES ST. JOHN GREENOUGH.
James St. John Greenough, who by his many friends is remembered as
an enterprising and thoroughly reliable business man of Sterling, was born
in Boston, Massachusetts, on the loth of March, 1847. The ancestral his-
tory is traced back to an early period in the settlement of the new world, when
representatives of the name came from Scotland and settled in Boston, then a
-small colonial village. A. member of the family at one time owned Staten
Island, and several representatives of the name served as soldiers of the
Revolutionary war.
James St. John Greenough was a son of James and Mary Greenough, na-
tives of Massachusetts, in whose family were five children, three sons and
two daughters, all now deceased. The father, becoming a well-to-do man,
lived retired in Boston during the latter part of his life.
In the city of his nativity Mr. Greenough of this review spent his boy-
hood and youth to the age- of nineteen years and benefited by the excellent
scholastic training afforded by the public schools. In the year 1869 he ar-
rived in Illinois and worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Com-
pany as u brakesman. He lost a limb by the cars, and afterward became tele-
graph operator, acting in that capacity for sixteen years at Rock Island Junc-
tion. On the expiration of that period he came to Sterling, where he con-
ducted business as a wholesale and retail dealer in oil, securing a liberal
patronage which brought to him a gratifying financial return. On his re-
tirement from that field of activity he engaged in the insurance business,
continuing therein until his last illness. In all of his different business re-
lations he was found reliable and trustworthy, and the success that he achieved
was attributable entirely to his own labors, as he started out in business life
empty-handed.
On the 17th of January, 1877, Mr. Greenough was married to Miss
Nellie E. Kitel, a daughter of George B. and Amanda (Wright) Kitel. The
father was a native of Massachusetts, and the mother of Vermont. He was
reared in the state of his nativity and became a railroad man. Removing
westward to Illinois, he settled at Sterling in the year in which the North-
western Railroad was built, and taking a contract for construction work, he
760 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
built the line from this point to the Mississippi river. He moved his family
here on a flat car, on which he also shipped his hoiLse. He continued in
railroad construction work until 1883, when he engaged in the oil business
ill Sterling, continuing to operate in that line until his death, which occurred
March 22. 1886, at the age of sixty-one years. His widow still survives him
and is well known in this city, where she has long lived. She is a communi-
cant of the Episcopal church, of which Mr. Kitel was also a member. He
was somewhat prominent in political circles and represented the Third ward
of Sterling as a member of the City Council. His father was William Kitel r
a native of Massachusetts, who lived in Williamstown, that state. The ma-
ternal grandfather of Mrs. Greenough was Dorastus Wright, a native of Ver-
mont, who married Sophia Bigelow Parker, a member of a family of excel-
lent record in connection with the Revolutionary war. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
George B. Kitel were born two sons and a daughter, of whom Edward R.
Kitel is now deceased. The other son, Andrew W. Kitel, is a resident of Chi-
cago. The daughter, Mrs. Greenough, still makes her home in Sterling, and by
her marriage became the mother of three children : Helen M., now the wife of
Frank Wahl; George D., who married Evelyn B. Coe; and Fannie M., the
wife of William F. Lipp.
The death of the husband and father occurred May 28, 1902, when he
was fifty-five years of age, and to his family more than to all others his loss
came with telling force. He was, however, a valued resident of the com-
munity, and as a business man and citizen was thoroughly respected. He
belonged to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. 0. 0. F., and gave his political alle-
giance to the republican party.
Mrs. Greenough has in her possession a picture of the old homestead of
Commodore Loring, which was built in 1760 at Jamaica Plain, Massachu-
setts, and was purchased in 1784 by David Greenough, the great-grandfather
of her husband. She also has a most interesting relic in an old sideboard
that was made by hand, without nails or screws, the lumber hewn with an ax.
It was brought from England on the Mayflower on the memorable voyage
in which Captain Standish was in command. It has been handed down
from one generation to another, and in his life time Mr. Greenough refused
the sum of five hundred dollars for it, saying that he would not take five
thousand. It is a most interesting piece of furniture because of its antiquity
as well as its peculiar construction.
MILETUS S. HEATON.
Miletus S. Heaton has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's
journey and, having retired from active business cares, is now living quietly
in the enjoyment of well-earned ease, deriving his income from valuable
property interests. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, February
2, 1831, his parents being Tertius and Almira (Rider) Heaton, both of
whom were natives of Vermont. The father was born in Montpelier and
OF THE
OF IL
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 763
carne of ancestry represented in the patriotic army in the Revolutionary war.
He served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812, enlisting from New
York. When not engaged in military duty he followed farming and won
a fair measure of success for his day. His life was characterized by industry
and perseverance and those qualities never fail to bring a good return. In
early manhood he wedded Almira Rider, a sister of Horatio Rider, who was
also a soldier of the war of 1812. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heaton were devoted
members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their lives were in constant
harmony with their professions. The father was a whig in his political views
until the organization of the republican party, when he joined its ranks. His
death occurred in 1878 when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years,
and his wife died in 1887 at the age of eighty-two years. Their family num-
bered five children, but our subject is the only one now living. Phineas R.,
the eldest, was born January 20, 1825, and died April 4, 1860; Orange G.,
born October 25, 1828, died July 24, 1865 ; Claudius B., born February 23,
1833, died May 19, 1841 ; Dorcas F., born January 15, 1836, died in De- '
cember, 1898.
No event of special important occurred to vary the routine of farm life
for Miletus S. Heaton in his boyhood days. He attended the country schools
and from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the
late autumn he worked in the fields, soon becoming familiar with the best
methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He continued farming
in the east until the fall of 1855, when he arrived in Whiteside county,
Illinois, and settled on a farm five miles northeast of Morrison in Mount
Pleasant township. He bought the first ticket sold in Chicago by the Chicago
& Northwestern Railroad from Chicago to Morrison on the 8th day of Oc-
tober, 1855.
After reaching this county, Mr. Heaton bent every energy toward the
development and improvement of the farm, making it a valuable property,
the fields being brought under a high state of cultivation, while large crops
were annually gathered. He continued to. cultivate and improve his tract
of land of two hundred and twenty acres until 1884, when he came to Morri-
son, but still owns the farm. His property interests also include two hundred
and sixty acres in Mount Pleasant township and a large tract of land, a part
of which is now the manufacturing addition to Morrison. He has two resi-
dence properties in the city, one of which he occupies. He wisely made
investment in property, securing some of the rich farming land of Illinois
of which there is none better to be found in the whole world.
On the 27th of February, 1881, Mr. Heaton married Miss Susanna E.
Churchill, a native of Clinton county, New York, born October 9, 1830.
She belongs to a family that was represented in the revolutionary war, and
on the paternal side is of Scotch and the maternal side of Irish descent. Her
father, Joseph Churchill, was born in Benson, Vermont, January 18, 1775,
and died January 25, 1848. By occupation he was a farmer. He was mar-
ried September 13, 1809, at Chazy, Clinton county, New York, to Susanna
Bailey, and soon after the Civil war they removed to Mooers in the same
county, where Mr. Churchill died. His wife was born in Windsor, Vermont,
T64 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
November 1, 1792. Her father died January 1, 1813, and her mother Feb-
ruary 4, 1813, both dying of fever. In 1858 Mrs. Churchill came with her
family to Whiteside county, Illinois, passing away here at the home of our
subject, November 25, 1884. Her children were as follows: Eliza A., born
October 24, 1810, died October 29, 1829; Calista, born September 28, 1812,
died November 8, 1833; Joshua B., born November 11, 1814, died March 6,
1815; Benjamin L., born February 7, 1816, died March 14, 18'65, in the
army; Jeremiah, born May 4, 1818, was captain of a vessel on Lake Huron
and was drowned April 17, 1849; Joseph B., born June 23, 1820, was a
soldier of the Civil war and died March 1, 1905; George W., born April 10,
1825, died October 7, 1904; Sylvester S., born November 6, 1827, died June
26, 1884; Susanna E., wife of our subject, is the next of the family; and
Charles C., born June 15, 1836, died July 22, 1887.
Mr. and Mrs. Heaton have one daughter, Nettie C., who was born in
1868 and is now the wife of William Boyd, son of John Boyd, in the employ
of the Libby, McNeill & Libby milk concern. Mrs. Heaton belongs to the
Presbyterian church and, like her husband, is well known and highly es-
teemed socially. His political endorsement is given the republican party
and he has held various township offices. He does not consider himself
bound by party ties, however, and voted on one occasion for Bryan. His
life has been one of signal usefulness and activity and he belongs to that
class of representative men who do much to uphold the political and legal
status of the community and to further its substantial development along
other lines.
DWIGHT SUMNER SPAFFORD.
Dwight Sumner Spafford is the oldest merchant in point of continuous
connection with business interests in Whiteside county, and has won the suc-
cess which follows earnest effort, close application and honorable methods.
He was born in Bergen, Genesee county, New York, in 1834, and has, there-
fore, long since passed the scriptural age of three score years and ten. In
spirit and interests, however, he seems yet in hi? prime, and his activity
equals that of many a man of much younger years. His father, Sumner
Spafford, a native of Massachusetts, was of English ancestry, and the grand-
father, Jacob Spafford, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. About 1800
the family removed westward to Bergen, New York, and there Jacob Spafford
bought a farm in what was known as the Holland purchase, where he re-
mained until his death, which occurred about 1840. He prospered in his
undertakings, owing to his capable management and diligence, and thus
provided a good living for his family. He held membership in the Presby-
terian church, and his life was actuated by high and honorable principles.
His son, Sumner Spafford, accompanied him on the removal to the Empire
state, and throughout his life followed the occupation of farming, dying
upon the old homestead in 1858. His religious faith was that of the Presby-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 765
terian church, and his political allegiance was given to the whig party until
its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He
married Delia Barber, who was of French ancestry, although the family was
established in America in early days. Her father was killed in one of the
Indian wars of the country. Mrs. Spafford was a devoted member of the
Presbyterian church and died in that faith in 1868. They were the parents
of four children: Burton J., deceased; Dwight S., of this review; Kate D.,
the widow of Thomas J. Tone, who at one time was engaged in teaching in
Cincinnati, Ohio, but was later engaged in the grain business; and Jerome
H., a farmer of Bergen, New York.
In taking up the personal history of Dwight S. Spafford, we present to
our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this
part of the state. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent in the
usual manner of farm lads, and through the summer months he assisted in
the work of the fields, while in the winter seasons he attended the country
schools. Ambitious for a more advanced education, he afterward became a
student in the State Normal school of Albany, New York, from which he
was graduated with the class of 1855. He taught school at Greene, New
York, and at Equality, Illinois, after going to Albany. In the spring of
1856 he came to the west, settling at Equality, where he taught school for
three years. In August, 1859, he arrived in the village of Morrison, and be-
came identified with its commercial interests through a partnership formed
with Orren B. Crosby, under the firm style of 0. B. Crosby & Company. This
relation was maintained for three years, when Mr. Crosby retired by selling
his interest to Mr. Spafford, who since 186'2 has been located in the building
in which he is now engaged in business, and which he erected. No other
merchant of the county has been so long connected with its trade interests,
and no one has maintained a more unassailable reputation for business in-
tegrity and reliability. He has been very successful owing to his alert, en-
terprising spirit, and he is accounted one of the representative merchants and
citizens of this part of the state.
In 1865 Mr. Spafford was married to Miss Anne E. Robertson, who was
born in Union Grove township and died in 1885. There were four children
of that marriage: Frank S., who is inspector of government surveys of
Idaho, making his home in Boise, is married and has three children ; John
Earl, who is married and makes his home in Leigh, Nebraska, where he is
acting as cashier of the Maple Valley State Bank; Roy R., secretary of the
C. D. Gallentine Company, of Morrison, who is married and has one child;
and Fred Dwight, a student in the Illinois University, at Champaign. Mr.
Spafford was again married in 1890, his second union being with Alice Smith,
a native of Lyons, Iowa, and a daughter of Leander Smith. They have three
children: Leander Smith, a student of the Kentucky Military Academy, at
Lyndon; Ruth, who is in school: and Allen, who is likewise in school.
Mr. Spafford is a prominent Mason, having atttained the thirty-second
degree, and is also connected with the Shrine. In politics he is a republican,
recognized as one of the stalwart workers in republican ranks, and one whose
opinions carry weight and influence. He has served as school director, as a
766 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
member of the board of supervisors, and as president of the board of edu-
cation. Still higher political honors have been accorded him, for he was
elected to the thirty-fourth general assembly, and had the distinction of being
One of the memorable one hundred and three who supported General Logan
and elected him to the United States senate. He has ever been a man fear-
less in support of his honest convictions and of unswerving loyalty to any
cause or movement which he believes to be right. He stands as a man among
men, strong in his honor and his good name, strong in his ability to plan
and perform. His life history proves that success and an untarnished name
may be won simultaneously.
ALBERT B. JOHNSON, .
Albert B. Johnson resides on section 13, Montmorency township, -where
he is the owner of a good farm of -two hundred and forty acres. .The fields
are well tilled and as the years have -passed by> he has gained substantial
benefits from, his work. Born in Lee. county, Illinois, on the -26th of January,
1873, he is the second in- order of birth in a family of four children,- whose
parents were Bernard and Eva ( Juelfs) Johnson, both of whom were natives
of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1864, and from
the east made their way at once into the interior of the country, locating in
Lee county, Illinois, where the father worked as a farm hand. In that way
he gained his start, and when he had acquired a fair sum of money he bought
a farm in Lee county, upon which he lived for a few years. After disposing
of that property he bought land in Whiteside county, and for a considerable
period was -actively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
At length he retired from business life, and is now enjoying well merited rest
in Rock Falls. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and two daugh-
ters: Mamie, now the wife of John Terhune, a resident of Lee county, Illi-
nois; Albert B. ; Effie, the wife of , Henry Erd, of Ohio; and Fred, who is
living in Whiteside county. ..."
Albert B. Johnson was a young man when the parents removed to this
county, and is indebted .to its public school .system for the educational privi-
leges he enjoyed. .Through the periods of vacation and after completing his
studies he worked upon the farm, being thus engaged until twenty-seven
years of age. : He then made preparation for having a home of his own
through his marriage to Miss Olive Pettitt, who was born in. Rock Falls in
1880, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Pettitt, the former a na-
tive of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Whiteside county,
Illinois. Her father's family numbered five .children : Herbert R., now of
Chicago; Mrs. Johnson; Nellie F., and Ruth, E., both at home; and one de-
ceased. The parents are now living in Chicago. The home of Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson has been blessed with a son and two daughters: Loyd L., Florence
E. and Ruth E.
For four years after his marriage Albert B. Johnson cultivated a tract
of rented land. Ambitious to become the owner of a farm, he and his wife
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 767
worked industriously and lived economically, until they at length were
enabled to purchase four hundred acres lying partly in Whiteside county and
partly in Lee county. Upon that place they resided for a year, when Mr.
Johnson sold the farm and bought his present place, comprising two hundred
and forty acres on section 13, Montmorency township. It has since been his
home, and in its neat and well kept appearance indicates the careful super-
vision and practical methods of the owner. The early spring planting fol-
lowed by cultivation through the summer, results in the gathering of good
harvests in the autumn, and for his crops Mr. Johnson finds a ready sale on
the market. He is also engaged in raising and feeding stock.
In community affairs Mr. Johnson is interested, has served as treasurer
of the board of commissioners and as a member of the board of drainage com-
missioners, and endorses every movement that is calculated to prove of gen-
eral benefit to the community. Both he and his wife attend and support the
Lutheran church.
BURT A. STURTEVANT.
Burt A. Sturtevant is the most extensive stock feeder of northern Illinois,
and in his business interests the public has also profited, in that he furnished
an excellent market for the stock raisers of this and other localities. His
marked enterprise and aptitude for successful management are continually
manifest in one phase or another of his successful career. Moreover, he is as
popular socially as he is prominent in business circles, and thus indicates the
possession of qualities of geniality, kindliness and consideration for others.
Mr. Sturtevant was born in Prophetstown, July .31, 1870, in the same
room in which his mother's birth occurred. It is the oldest house in the town,
and stands just in the rear of the Farmers' National Bank. Spending his
boyhood under the parental roof and pursuing his education in the public
schools, at the age of sixteen years Burt A. Sturtevant began farming for
himself and early manifested those traits of character and specific qualities
which in later years have made him a most prominent business man. After
three years he married and took up his abode upon the home farm, near
Prophetstown, there living for twelve years. He then again became a resi-
dent of the village, and built his present fine home, which he has occupied
since the 10th of November, 1899. The farm which he owns consisted orig-
inally of two hundred acres, and later he purchased another track of two
hundred acres. At tther times he has extended the boundaries of his place
until he now owns five hundred and sixty acres in one body on sections 21, 22,
23 and 26, Fenton township. He has erected all of the buildings upon the
place with the exception of the dwelling, which he rebuilt. He now keeps a
tenant on the farm while he is extensively engaged in feeding stock. In this
business he is in partnership with his father, but owing to his father's ill
health during the last two years almost the entire management of the busi-
ness has devolved upon the son. In the year 1907 he shipped fifty-one carloads
768 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
of cattle and six carloads of hogs, and his business, exceeding that of all
others, he is today the largest stock feeder in northern Illinois. His judg-
ment is never amiss in determining the value of cattle, and placing his stock
in excellent condition, he finds for them a ready sale upon the market.
Mr. Sturtevant is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the
lodge and chapter at Prophetstown and the Knight Templar commandery
at Sterling, being also identified with the Mystic Shrine at Eockford, arid the
consistory at Freeport, Illinois, thus attaining the thirty-second degree of the
Scottish rite. He is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity
at Prophetstown, and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit upon which
these orders are based.
On the 27th of December, 1888, Mr. Sturtevant was married to Miss
Mary J. Pratt, whose birth occurred at Lyndon, this county, August 25, 1864.
She is a daughter of Charles and Amelia (Sharrett) Pratt, both of whom
were of French parentage. The mother is now living with Mr. and Mrs.
Sturtevant, but Mr. Pratt, having enlisted from Whiteside county, died after
his return from the army. Mrs. Sturtevant is the eldest of four children, the
others being: Flora, now the wife of Mark Stowell, of Prophetstown; Wil-
liam, a resident of Waterloo, Iowa; and Mrs. Ora De Zano, who died at Port
Byron, Illinois. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sturtevant has been blessed with
two children : Hazel P., who was born January 4, 1890, and died March 17,
1891; and Hamlin A., born November 18, 1905. The parents are widely
known in thi? county, where they have spent their entire lives. Mr. Sturte-
vant is, indeed, a whole-souled man, a good entertainer and a genial com-
panion who quickly recognizes the humor of a situation, and is equally ap-
preciative of the good in others. The attainment of wealth has never been
allowed to influence him in his relations with his fellowmen, and his life
record is an exemplification of the Emersonial philosophy that, "The way to
win a friend is to be one."
WILLIAM H. BENNETT.
William H. Bennett, a distinguished corporation lawyer of Minneapolis,
was at one time a prominent member of the W T hiteside county bar and an in-
fluential citizen of- Sterling. He twice served as mayor of the city, and in
many ways promoted its interests, leading to substantial improvement and
development. His friends are still so numerous in the county that the record
of his life cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers.
Mr. Bennett was born in Scotland, Windham county, Connecticut, June
28, 1843, an only child of Samuel F. and Harriet (Spaulding) Bennett, who
were natives of Connecticut. The Bennett family was established in America
in early colonial days, and comes of English lineage, the first representatives
of the name having settled at Ipswich, Massachusetts. In 1740 they went to
Connecticut, and there a farm was purchased in Windham county, which
has since never been out of the possession of the Bennett family, being now
the property of William H. Bennett of this review. The progenitor of the
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 769
family in the United States was William Henry Bennett. The grandfather,
William Bennett, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, aiding loyally in
winning independence for the colonies. He followed farming as a life work
and died at the advanced age of ninety-five years. His wife, Mrs. Sarah
(Giddings) Bennett, was of W'elsh lineage. In their family were five chil-
dren, including Samuel F. Bennett, who always followed farming as a means
of livelihood and remained a resident of Connecticut until called to the home
beyond, in 1889, when about eighty-three years of age. His wife djed when
about thirty-six years of age. They were members of the Congregational church
and were earnest, consistent Christian people.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Benjamin Spaulding, a na-
tive of Connecticut, who carried on agricultural pursuits in Windham county.
He married Panielia Carter, a native of Canterbury, Connecticut. The Spauld-
ings lived for many years at Pomfret, Connecticut, and Mrs. Spaulding
reached the advanced age of ninety-six years, while her husband passed away
some years before. She was his second wife, his first union being with a Miss
Ingalls, who became the mother of Mrs. Samuel F. Bennett.
Through the period of his boyhood, youth and early manhood, William
H. Bennett remained a resident of the state of his nativity. He was born hi
Scotland, Connecticut, but spent his early life in Hampton, and liberal edu-
cational advantages were afforded him. He pursued his preparatory course
in the Philips Academy, and afterward attended Yale College at New Haven,
from which he was graduated in 1866. He then taught school for one year
at Easton, Connecticut, after which he became a law student in the Albany
Law School, and was admitted to the bar of New York at Albany in 1868.
He sought the west as being a more advantageous field for a young profes-
sional man, and the same year came to Sterling, where he arrived in the
fall. Here he entered the office of Frederick Sackett, with whom he formed
a partnership under the firm style of Sackett & Bennett. Later Mr. Sackett
removed to Chicago, while Mr. Bennett continued in practice in Sterling, and
soon secured a liberal clientage, connecting him with much important litiga-
tion tried in the courts of the district. A few years later he formed a part-
nership with Henry Green, and the firm of Bennett & Green continued in
active practice until the fall of 1888, when Mr. Bennett went to Minneapolis,
becoming a partner in the firm of Koon, Whelan & Bennett. This firm has
been connected with the Minneapolis bar for the past twenty years, and has a
large and important corporation clientele. They are attorneys for the Minne-
apolis Street Railway Company, the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie
Railway Company, the Pillsbury-Washburn Flour Milk Company, Limited,
the Northwestern National Bank, the Minneapolis General Electric Company,
and a number of other leading business houses and corporations of that city.
Mr. Bennett is well versed as a general practitioner of law, but in recent
years has confined his attention more closely to the law dealing with corpora-
tions, and never enters now into criminal law practice, confining his attention
largely to his specialty.
In January, 1873, while in Sterling, Mr. Bennett was married to Mis?
Frances Green, a daughter of John and Caroline Green. They became the
770 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
parents of one child, Frances. The mother died in November, 1873, and in
1876 Mr. Bennett wedded Miss Kate Prescott 'Wright, of Bridgeport, Con-
necticut, a daughter of George A. and Jane (Prescott) Wright. There were
two children of the second marriage, Kate Townsend and Jane Prescott
Bennett.
Mrs. Bennett is a member of the Episcopal church, while Mr. Bennett is
a Unitarian in religious belief. In politics he is a stalwart republican, and
while living in Sterling was twice elected mayor of the city. He held the
office of alderman for several terms, and was a member of the board of school
trustees of Sterling township for many years. In the discharge of his duties
he was prompt and capable, regarding a public office as a public trust, and in
the exercise of his official prerogatives promoting the interests of Sterling in
no uncertain manner. He yet has many friends in the city, who esteem him
as one who contributed to its business and municipal life, while his social
qualities endeared him to many with whom he came in contact.
CHARLES GRANDISON CURTIS.
Charles Crandison Curtis, who for many years .was honorably and suc-
cessfully connected with agricultural interests in Whiteside county, departed
this life on the 1st of May, 1902. He was born in Milo, New York, in 1826,
and had therefore attained the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey when
called to the home beyond. His parents were Robert Y. and Lois (Tor-
rence) Curtis, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of New
York. They were married in the Empire state and for many years the
father followed the profession of school teaching there. His wife was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church and both died in New York.
In his boyhood days Charles G. Curtis attended the common schools.
He early became familiar with farm work and, thinking that he would find
better opportunities for advancement in agricultural lines in the middle
west, he came to Illinois in 1857 and for a short time resided at Lyndon. He
afterward engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm in Mount Pleasant
township for seven years, on the expiration of which period he removed
south of Round Grove, where he invested the capital that he had saved from
his earnings in an eighty-acre tract of land. Upon that place he took up his
abode and made it his residence until his death. . In his farming operations
he so managed his interests that he won success, annually gathering good
crops as the reward of the care and labor which he bestowed upon his fields.
In 1855 Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Raplee, who
was born in Milo, New York, in 1830, a daughter of Robert and Mima Flor-
ence Raplee. Her father was of French extraction and was a farmer by
occupation. He came to Illinois about 1858 and settled in Lyndon town-
ship, where he lived for eight years, after which he removed to Missouri,
where his last days were spent. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis had one child, Evange-
line, who was born in 1857 and died in 1884. She wa? the wife of Everett
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 773
Fisk, of Mount Pleasant township, and they had one child, Ethan B. Fisk,
now in Clinton, Iowa.
Mr. Curtis devoted his entire life to farming, and his business record
was characterized by the utmost integrity as well as industry. He was char-
itably disposed, stood well among his neighbors and advocated many pro-
gressive public measures. His many good qualities therefore gained for
him the esteem of his fellowmen and caused his death to be deeply regretted
by those who knew him. Since her husband's demise Mrs. Curtis has re-
moved to Morrison, where she now makes her home. She is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church and has many friends in the city.
JAMES W. ROSS.
James W. Ross, a retired agriculturist and one of the leading citizens of
Fulton, was born in Clarendon, Rutland county, Vermont, May 25, 1838, his
parents being Walter and Eliza (Webb) Ross, natives of Vermont and Massa-
chusetts, respectively. Members of the Ross family emigrated to America
and settled in Massachusetts in an early day, while the Webbs came to Amer-
ica from England prior to the Revolutionary war, likewise locating in Massa-
chusetts, some members of the latter family serving in the war for independ-
ence. The paternal grandparents of James W. Ross had the following
children who grew to maturity, but all of them are now deceased: Walter;
Gary, of Michigan; James; Volney, and Ephriam, who were residents of
Vermont; Phoebe, who was the wife of John White, of .Vermont; and Mercy,
the wife of William Potter, likewise of the Green Mountain state. Walter
Ross, the father of our subject, filled various official positions in his native
town, and twice represented his county in the state legislature. His death
occurred in 1871, when he had attained the age of seventy-one years, while
his -wife passed away in 1874, when sixty-nine years of age. Their family
numbered nine children : Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of M. B.
Brown, of Vermont; Melvina. the deceased wife of Leo McDonough, of Mc-
Donough county, Illinois ; Loantha, deceased, who was the wife of R. R. Kins-
man, who has also passed away; Luceba, the deceased wife of L. G. Kingsley;
James W., of this review; John W., of Rutland, Vermont; Aldis D. L., who
likewise resided in Rutland, Vermont, but has now passed away; George W.,
of Vergennes, Vermont ; and Elbridge W., deceased.
James W. Ross attended the common schools of his native state, and
though he received but a limited education in early life, he has since be-
come a well informed man through reading, experience arid observation. He
was reared on the home farm and remained under the parental roof until
the outbreak of the Civil war, when he joined Company K, First Vermont
Volunteer Infantry, participating in the battle of Big Bethel with the Army
of Virginia. After the expiration of his three months' term of enlistment he
was honorably discharged and returned to his home, but in 1863 was at-
tached to the quartermaster's staff. During the greater part of the time he
774 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
was located at Pilot Knob and Belleview, Missouri, and, being captured on
September 27, 1864, was held as a prisoner for a short time. After being
paroled he returned to his department and served in the army until June,
1805, when he was mustered out at Pilot Knob, returning home with a most
creditable military record.
On again taking up the pursuits of civil life, he followed farming until
1871, when he came to Illinois, locating within four miles of Fulton, where
he purchased seventy-six acres of land at thirty dollars per acre. He met with
a gratifying measure of success in his agricultural interests, and when op-
portunity offered added one hundred and eighteen acres to his original tract.
By reason of his well directed labor and sound business judgment in the
conduct of his farming interests, he acquired the competence that enabled
him to retire from active life in 1895, and he has since resided in Fulton, en-
joying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
In 1867 Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Barney, of
Shrewsbury, Vermont, a daughter of J. A. and Harriet (Ewing) Barney,
likewise of Vermont. Representatives of both the Ewing and Barney fami-
lies came to America in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have two chil-
dren: Frances, the wife of John S. Mover, of Fulton; and Gertrude, at
home, who is a teacher by profession.
Politically, Mr. Ross is a republican, having cast his first vote for Abra-
ham Lincoln in 1861. For five years he served as supervisor from Ustick
township, his term beginning in 1890, and for six years, beginning in 1896,
he served as supervisor from Fulton township. His long retention in the
office is incontrovertible proof of his capability and fidelity in the discharge
of his duties and of the trust reposed in him by his fellowmen. He has
long been recognized as one of the county's influential and enterprising citi-
zens, and it is with pleasure that we present his life record to our readers.
JOHN D. AREY.
John D. Arey, highly esteemed as a citizen and a man of sterling integ-
rity of character, has for many years been a resident of Whiteside county, and
few, if any, have more intimate knowledge of the events which have shaped
its history and formulated its policy. He is numbered among the old set-
tiers of Rock Falls and' Sterling, and now makes his home in the latter city,
residing at No. 207 Ninth avenue. His birth occurred at South Wellfleet,
Oape Cod, September 7, 1834. There were two brothers of the Arey family
who came from England to America in colonial days and settled in Maine.
Reuben Arey, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts and a
tanner by trade, following that business through much of his life. He was
almost a centenarian at his death, and his wife likewise reached an advanced
age.
Richard Arey, father of John D. Arey, was born in Massachusetts, and in
early manhood carried on merchandising at South Wellfleet. In May, 1844,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 775
however, he came to the middle Ave.st, settling in what was then Rapid City,
now Rock Falls, where he followed farming. He became the owner of one
hundred and sixty acres of land, nearly all of which is now included within
the city limits. He died in 1897. lacking but a month of being eighty-eight
years of age. He married Martha Davis, a daughter of Rev. Timothy Davis,
who was born in Massachusetts and became a minister of the Congregational
church, preaching in the New England states. He was twice married and had
almost attained the age of one hundred years when called from this life. The
Davis family was of Welsh lineage. His daughter, Mrs. Arey, died in 1852,
at the comparatively early age of thirty-nine years. She was a member of
the Congregational church, to which Richard Arey also belonged. After
the death of his first wife he was married again. Somewhat active in com-
munity affairs, he held several town offices and was the first supervisor of
Coloma. By his first marriage he had eight children, five sons and three
daughters: John D. ; James C., a resident of Rock Falls; Catharine and
Timothy, both deceased; Richard, also living in Rock Falls; Ezra W., living
in Sedalia, Missouri; Mary, the widow of J. W. Nims and a resident of
De Smet, South Dakota; and Martha, the wife of Merritt Green, of Marshall-
town, Iowa.
John D. Arey spent the first ten years of his life in the town of his na-
tivity and then came with his parents to Whiteside county, being reared to
manhood at Rock Falls. His education was acquired in Sterling, and for
two terms he engaged in teaching school, after which he took up surveying,
which has been his occupation continuously since 1860. In this connection
he has become widely known and has done a good business, being at all times
a man of enterprise, industry and perseverance.
On the 5th of July, 1856, Mr. Arey was married to Miss Mary E. Jenkins,
a daughter of William and Abigail (Brown) Jenkins, who were natives of
Cayuga county, New York. The former was a son of Joshua Jenkins, who
was born in the Empire state in 1771. He enlisted for service in the war
of 1812 and died while at the front. His wife, who bore the maiden name
of Remember Bowen, was born in 1772 and lived to an advanced age. Their
family numbered six children. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Arey
was Benjamin Brown, a native of New York and a farmer by occupation,
who died at an advanced age in Cayuga county. His wife, Mrs. Abigail
Brown, survived him for some time, and was also quite aged when called to
her final rest. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters. At the
time of the Revolutionary war Benjamin Brown espoused the cause of the
colonists and fought for the independence of the nation, as did his father.
William Jenkins, father of Mrs. Arey, was a contractor and builder, who
in the spring of 1856 came to the west. His wife, however, died that fall,
and he returned to the state of New York. Prior to this time they had lived
for sixteen years in Lee, Massachusetts. Upon his return to the Empire state
Mr. Jenkins settled in Genesee county, where he married again, his second
union being with Rachel Weeks, who still survives him and now lives in
Sidney, his death having occurred in 1874, when he was sixty years of age.
By his first marriage Mr. Jenkins had two sons and three daughters, of whom
776 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
three are now living: Mrs. Arey; Edgar, of Warwick, New York; and Mrs.
Ann Allen, of Auburn, ,New York. By the second marriage there were two
daughters: Cornelia, the wife of Dr. La Mott Day, of Sidney, New York;
and Alta, the wife of Charles Randall, of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Arey was blessed with five children : Harriet,
the eldest daughter, became the wife of Miles Standish Griswold, who is now
deceased, and she lives at home with her parents. George is also at home.
Mabel is an artist, connected with Marshall Field's store in Chicago. Edwin
died at the age of twelve years. Fred, living at Auburn, New York, is as-
sistant superintendent there for the International Harvester Company. He
married Miss Ethel Gordon, and they have two children, Miriam G. and
Gordon.
Mrs. Arey is a member of the Congregational church. Politically Mr.
Arey is a republican and has been prominent in the councils of his party.
He was also surveyor of Whiteside county for six years, was town clerk about
fifteen years and justice of the peace for several terms. In these various
positions he was found loyal to the trust reposed in him, discharging his
duties with both capability and promptness. He spent about fifteen years
of his life in Chicago, as engineer and superintendent of the construction of
the West Side boulevards, returning to Sterling in 1902, where he has since
made his home. He commands the respect af all who know him, for in
citizenship and in business he has been found equally reliable and has,
moreover, displayed those traits of consideration, kindliness and deference
for the opinions of others that have gained for him the warm friendship of
many with whom he has been brought in contact. More than six decades
have passed since he arrived in this county, and great have been the changes
which have occurred since that time. He has witnessed the development that
has been carried forward along many lines, and in his capacity of surveyor
has been closely associated with the settlement and improvement of the
county.
JOHN H. WARD.
Illinois is pre-eminently an agricultural state, and the men who have
been its founders and upbuilders have largely been identified with farming.
The growth and progress of any state depends not upon a few, but upon the
loyal citizenship of the great majority. John II. Ward was one who, in the
faithful performance of each day's duties, contributed to the general pros-
perity and to the upbuilding of his community. He was well known for
about twenty years as a successful agriculturist and horse breeder of White-
side county, where he carried on the business up to the time of his death, on
the 3d of September, 1881.
He was born in the state of New York, April 23, 1820, his parents being
Naham M. and Diadena (Diver) Ward. The Wards are of English lineage,
but are an old New England family. John H. Ward was the eldest of three
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 777
children. His brother, Charles Ward, died at Morrison in August, 1896,
after a long residence in this county. He located in Mount Pleasant town-
ship in 1864, and was the owner of a fine farm on section 1. The other
brother. George Ward, spent some time in this county, where he located about
1860, and later left Illinois and spent his last days in the state of New
York, where he died about twenty-seven years ago.
John H. Ward was reared in the Empire state, and in early' manhood
followed farming in Niagara county. On selling his interests there he came
to this county, in 1862, and purchased eighty acres, to which he afterward
added two tracts of forty acres each at later periods, thus becoming the owner
of one hundred and sixty acres of Illinois' rich farming land. He was a
successful business man and agriculturist, and in connection with the tilling
of the soil for the producton of crops he conducted a prosperous business as
a stockman, breeding and dealing in horses. . He. was widely known for his
unassailable integrity in business transactions, as well as for the unfaltering
industry which won ,him prosperity.
Mr. Ward was married in DeRuyter, New York, to Miss Mary E. Bump,
a native of that .locality who, long surviving her husband, died in this county
January 23, 1898, when more than sixty-six years of age. . Both Mr. and Mrs.
Ward were highly esteemed by many friends. His political allegiance was
given to the republican party, and he was always loyal to its interests, though
never an office seeker. Since the family was established in this county, in
1862, the name has ever been a synonym for reliability and agricultural
activity here.
Mr. and Mrs. Ward reared a family of two sons and a daughter. John
F., the eldest, born October 26, 1858, in Niagara county, New York, was but
four years of age when brought by his parents to Whiteside county, where
he acquired a common school education. He has resided mainly on the
home farm, where he is now living. On the 14th of March, 1889, he was
united in marriage to Miss Cornelia E. Michael, a native of Columbia county,
New York, who was reared, however, in Wisconsin. Her parents were Jacob
and Jane (Hornfager) Michael, the former now deceased, while the mother
is a resident of Iowa county, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. John F. Ward have
two sons : Clark L. and Jay H. Mr. Ward owns and cultivates one hundred
and sixty acres of finely improved land, and also engaged in the raising and
feeding of stock.
Mary A. Ward, born June 6, 1860, is the wife of John Gridley, a resident
farmer of Usti'ck township, and they have four children : Ward, Mabel, Guy
and John W. Further mention of this family is made on another page of this
volume.
Charles H. Ward, who was born September 10, 1863, upon the home
farm in Mount Pleasant township, has always resided in this county. ' He
mastered the elementary branches of learning in the public schools, and
afterward spent one winter in Fulton College. Determining to follow the
occupation of farming as his life work, he secured his present place, com-
prising eighty acres of well improved land on section 3, Mount Pleasant town-
ship. He also owns some timberland north of Morrison, and has met with
778 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
well merited and gratifying success owing to his well defined labor and un-
faltering activity. On the 12th of April, 1904, he wedded Miss Irma Now-
len, a native of this county and a daughter of Robert and Libbie (Preston)
Nowlen, who were early residents of Mount Pleasant township, coming to
Illinois from New York. Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Ward have two sons,
John M. and George W.
Politically, the brothers are republicans, and both are enterprising men
who stand as worthy representatives of the farming interests of Whiteside
county and as respected members of one of the early families of this part of
the state.
FRANK MILLHOUSE.
Numbered among the energetic and progressive farmers of Whiteside
county is Frank Millhouse, who was born in Jordan township, in Novem-
ber, 1872, and is a representative of one of the early families here, his parents,
Jacob and Mary (Eshleman) Millhouse, arriving in the year 1857. The pa-
ternal grandparents were Arthur and Elizabeth (Hevil) Millhouse, who were
of English descent, and at an early day became residents of Pennsylvania.
Their family numbered fifteen children, Mary, Jacob, Elizabeth, Susan,
Lydia, Asher, Nancy, John, Reuben, Henry, Euphemia, Caroline, Ann,
Sophia and George. Five of this number are now living, Asher, George,
Reuben, Henry and Jacob.
Reared in the east, Jacob Millhouse, after arriving at years of maturity,
was married in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of September,
1852, to Miss Mary Eshleman, a daughter of Jacob and Madeline (Koffman)
Eshleman. natives of Pennsylvania. Their family numbered eight children,
Elias K., Isaac H., Mary, Elizabeth, Hiram, Isaac, Nathaniel and Jacob, all
of whom have passed away with the exception of Mary and Elizabeth. Mr.
and Mrs. Jacob Millhouse began their domestic life in the east, where they
resided until 1857, when they removed westward to Illinois, settling in White-
side county upon a farm which is now the old family homestead. The father
purchased eighty acres of land at twenty-five dollars per acre. As the years
have passed its value has constantly increased, until it is now a fine prop-
erty, owing to the cultivation that has been bestowed upon it, and the many
improvements that have been there placed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Millhouse
were born two daughters, while Frank Millhouse, of this review, is the only
son. His sister, Lydia, became the wife of Jeremiah Hess, and died in 1881,
leaving three children, Ida, Maggie and Lizzie. Amanda is the wife of Aaron
Hackman, a resident of Sterling, and they have two children, Franklin and
Delilah,
Frank Millhouse, whose name introduces this record, is living on the
old homestead, conducting the farm and caring for his parents in the evening
of life. His father and mother have traveled life's journey together as man
and wife for fifty-six years, sharing with each other in the joys and sorrows,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 779
the adversity and prosperity which checker the careers of all. Looking back
across the busy years they realize that there is much to be grateful for and
many blessings have come to them. They have witnessed the many marvel-
ous changes which have occurred in Whiteside county since their arrival here
more than a half century ago. That was the day of the ox teams, the scythe
and the cradle, and there was little connection with the outside world. There
were no large school houses, magnificent churches or costly residences, and
there was an equal absence of telegraphs, telephones and railroads. In fact,
many evidences of pioneer life were still to be seen here, but the work of
civilization was being carried forward by the early settlers, and the Millhouse
family bore their part in the labors that have brought about the modern
civilization and improvement. The parents have lived to see the development
of towns and hamlets into thriving cities and villages, while the prairie has been
converted into richly cultivated farms which yield abundantly of the products
of the soil. The rural free delivery now brings the mail to their door daily,
and the telephone affords direct communication with neighbors and friends.
Frank Millhouse was reared to the labors of the farm and has followed
agriculture as a life occupation. As the years have gone by he has more and
more largely relieved his father of the work of the fields until he is now in
charge of the home farm, which under his care and supervision is kept in a
high state of cultivation and presents a most attractive and thrifty appearance.
Mr. Millhouse was married December 19, 1894, to Miss Ida K. Hoover,
a daughter of Amos and Barbara (Groff) Hoover, natives of Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania. They came to Whiteside county at an early day and cast in
their lot with the pioneer settlers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Millhouse have been
born four children: Glenn, Gladys, Eva and Harry.
Mr. Millhouse votes with the republican party and keeps well informed
on the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should
do, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as
he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, care-
fully directed, are bringing to him well merited success.
HENRY GREEN.
Henry Green, lawyer and banker, was born in Racine county, Wiscon-
sin, May 17, 1846. In 1850 he removed with his parents to Jo Daviess county,
Illinois, where he continued to reside until about twenty years of age. He
prepared for college at Clark Seminary, Aurora, and at the academy of North-
western University, and was graduated at Northwestern University, Evans-
ton, in 1873, having taken the full classical course. Immediately after gradu-
ating, he began the study of law in Chicago. In February, 1875, he removed
to Sterling, Illinois, continuing the study of law in the law office of William
H. Bennett, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1876.
Upon admission to the bar, Mr. Green formed a partnership with Mr.
Bennett, under the firm name of Bennett & Green, and continued the prac-
780 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
tice of law in Sterling until July, 1901. In October, 1901, he was elected
cashier of the First National Bank of Sterling, to succeed William A. San-
born, who died Octoher 24, 1901. About a year later he resigned on account
of impaired health, and was succeeded as cashier by Thomas S. McKinney.
For several years he passed the winters in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas,
and in the mountains of Colorado and old Mexico. On the death of Thomas
S. McKinney, which occurred July 1, 1905, he was again elected cashier of
said bank, which office he still holds. During the four years which he has
been cashier, the bank has had a most successful career, and has undergone
extensive improvements. An electric burglar alarm has been installed and
the bank has been rebuilt and remodeled throughout. . It is an attractive
structure architecturally, with fine interior finishings and thoroughly modern
equipments^
Mr. Green was married to Harriet T. Brookfield, June 30, 1881. They
have two sons, Charles H. and Howard S. The former was graduated at the
Illinois State University in 1903, as mechanical engineer, and Howard is
now a junior in the same university.
Mr. Green served as mayor of Sterling for one term, and has been a
member of Wallace school board for about twenty-eight years. He also has
been a membei of the library board for a number of years, and rendered valu-
able services in the building of the Carnegie library in Sterling. In poli-
tics Mr. Green has always been a republican, casting his first vote for Ulysses
S. Grant for president in 1868.
DANIEL LARISH.
Varied business interests have claimed the time and attention of Daniel
Larish, who is connected with the agricultural life of the county and is also
a real-estate dealer. Illinois claims him as a native son, for his birth
occurred in Carroll county, February 24, 1859. He is the eldest of the
six children of Rufus and Jane (Weller) Larish, natives of Pennsylvania
and Martinsburg, West Virginia, respectively. The Larish family comes of
French origin a.nd the grandfather of our subject served as a soldier in the
war of 1812.
Rufus Larish was a farmer by occupation and with his parents came
to Illinois in his boyhood days, the family home being established at Dixon.
Not long afterward Rufus Larish entered land in Fairhaven township, Lee
county, and following the Civil war that property, was sold and a removal
made to Mount Carroll. He subsequently bought land in Montgomery
county, Iowa, where he lived for seven years, but in 1874 he lost his prop-
erly there and came to Morrison. He is now an inmate of the Soldiers'
Home at Quincy, Illinois, having enlisted in April, 1861, in response to the
call for troops to preserve the Union. Hardly had the smoke from Fort
Sumter's guns cleared away when he joined the army and for three years
did valiant duty as one of the boys in blue. He became a member of the
LIBHAHT
OF TH
'VM,po<? !T Y OF ILLIKOJf
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 783
Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and made an excellent record upon
the battlefields of the south. He holds membership in the United Brethren
church, is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and votes with
the republican party. The mother also survives and is now living in Ful-
ton, at the age of seventy-four years. Their children are as follows: Daniel,
of this review; William, who is serving on the night police force at Fulton;
Mary, the wife of Samuel Machel, a mechanic of Morrison; Albert, who is
in the state of Washington; Minnie, of Fulton, Illinois; and Edward, who
is in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad Company and makes his
home in Clinton, Iowa.
As a farmer boy Daniel Larish attended the district schools and later
enjoyed the additional privilege of three years' study in Mount Carroll Sem-
inary. His life has been a busy and active one and various interests have
claimed his time and attention. He has followed farming and real-estate
dealing and in all of his undertakings has been successful. He is a man of
sound judgment and keen discrimination and rarely if ever makes a mis-
take in matters of business discernment or sagacity.
In December, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Daniel Larish and
Miss Artie J. Hulett, who was born in Mount Pleasant township, Whiteside
county, in 1861, her parents being Lyman A. and Lorinda (Willis) Hulett,
both natives of Indiana, whence they came to Whiteside county, settling in
Mount Pleasant township, where the father purchased land. He carried on
farming until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted for active
duty in the field and went to the front. Becoming ill with smallpox, he
died within two months after his return home. His political views were
indicated by the stalwart endorsement which he gave to the republican party
at the polls. His wife long survived him and died in 1904, at the age of
sixty-eight years. Their family numbered four children : George W. and
Eliza Ann, deceased; Mrs. Larish; and Eva May, the wife of Edward Curtis,
of Morrison. Mrs. Larish is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and has many friends here. Mr. Larish owns a fine residence property in
Morrison and other dwellings in the city and has an interest in farm lands
which yield him a good annual income and make him one of the men of
affluence of this locality.
HARVEY PACKER.
Among the residents of Rock Falls who have retired from active business
life is numbered Harvey Packer, at one rime numbered among the energetic
business men of the city. He ha.s now passed the eightieth milestone on life's
journey, his birth having occurred in Bennington, Vermont, June 22, 1827.
His paternal grandfather was the Rev. Benjamin Packer, a Baptist minister,
who devoted his life to his holy calling and died in Vermont when well ad-
vanced in years. The father. Benjamin Packer, a native of the Green Moun-
tain state, was a millwright and an expert mechanic. In 1829 he removed
784 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
to Saratoga county, New York. In the meantime, however, he had wedded
Miss Mary Johnson, who was usually called Polly. She, too, was a native of
Vermont and was a daughter of Jedediah Johnson, who was born in that
state nnd served his country as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He died
in Saratoga county, New York, at an advanced age. After the removal of
the parents of our subject to the Empire state they remained residents of
Saratoga county for a number of years and then came to the middle west,
settling in Stark county, Illinois, where Benjamin Packer died at the venerable
age of ninety years, his wife having passed away only a few years before. He
was called out during the war of 1812 but engaged in no active service.
Harvey Packer was only about two years of age at the time the family
removed to New York and was reared in the town of Galway, Saratoga county,
upon the home farm, which he assisted his father in clearing and improving
as the years passed by. The educational advantages which he received were
those offered by the district schools. Attracted by the opportunities of the
growing west he came to Stark county, Illinois, in 1851, the choice of his des-
tination being decided by the fact that he had a brother here. A few months
later, however, he removed to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he carried on
farming for two years and also engaged in general merchandising. He fur-
ther extended the scope of his activities by becoming manager of a factory for
the manufacture of agricultural implements. In 1878 he came to Rock Falls
and entered the employ of the Keystone Manufacturing Company, engaged in
the manufacture of agricultural implements. Mr. Packer is a man of marked
mechanical ingenuity and inventive ability, his research, investigation and
experiment resulting in the invention of a power corn sheller and corn cul-
tivator, walking and riding plows and other implements, together with farm
windmills for watering stock. Thus he has given to the world many useful
devices. He also had charge of the improvements made in the Keystone Man-
ufacturing Company but in 1886 he sold his interest in the business and re-
moved to Aurora, where he lived for twelve years. He then returned to Rock
Falls, where he has made his home continuously to the present time, and
during the last period of his residence here he has lived retired.
On the 9th of May, 1849, occurred the marriage of Mr. Packer and Miss
Charlotte Bass, a daughter of Samuel and Charlotte (Hagedorn) Bass, who
were natives of the state of New York, where occurred the death of her pater-
nal grandfather. The maternal grandfather was Jonathan Hagedorn, who was
one of the best known men of Saratoga county. He was a thrifty business
man and accumulated a handsome fortune for those days. He married Abi-
gal York, whose father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The father
of Mrs. Packer died in Fulton county, New York, in 1841, at the age of forty-
nine years. He served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812. His first
wife died in 1835, at the age of thirty-five years, and he afterward married
Louisa Lewis. By his first marriage there were four children, of whom two
are now living, the brother of Mrs. Packer being Jonathan Bass, who resides
in Rochester, New York, at about the age of ninety years. Her father by his
second marriage had three children, two of whom survive: Frances Augusta,
the wife of Hiram Shipman, who is now living in the village of Northville,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 785
Fulton county, New York ; and Margaret Jane, the wife of Michael Newton,
of Northville.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Packer were born six children, namely: James H.,
resides in Chicago, where he is identified with the Board of Trade. He mar-
ried Eve Cottrell, by whom he has a son, Elery. John F. is engaged in the
livery business at La Grange, Illinois. For his first wife he wedded Josephine
Cox, who died leaving two daughters, Grace and Jessie. For his second wife
he wedded Mrs. Emma Cottrell, a sister of his brother James' wife. She became
the mother of two sons, Fay and Harley, and is now deceased. Mr. Packer was
married a third time, this union being with Mrs. Idel Rogers, by whom he has
one son, Jay. George W. Packer, the third member of the family, is deceased.
He was at one time identified with the Keystone Works, acting as superin-
tendent of the plant but afterward went to Chicago, where he was mechanical
expert for the Deering Harvester Company, from whom he received a salary
of six thousand dollars per year. He wedded Miss Lydia Rogers, by whom
he had three children, Ray, Pearl and Glen. Frank Packer died at the
age of eight months. Harriet is the wife of J. M. Bickford, of Sterling, Illi-
nois. Their marriage has been blessed with three children, Viola May, Mark
Dean and Charlotte. Nettie Viola Packer is the wife of E. S. Tucker, a resi-
dent of Oakland. California, by whom she has three children, Dorothy, Gor-
don and Elizabeth Viola.
Mr. Packer has long been a stalwart advocate of the republican party
but has never sought nor desired office. His wife belongs to the Baptist church.
They have now traveled life's journey together for almost sixty years, their
mutual love and confidence increasing as time has passed by. In a review of
the life record of Mr. Packer we note that his sterling qualities have been such
as are worthy of emulation and have commanded for him uniform respect.
He has ever been true to the trust reposed in him, whether in business or in
private life, and his industry and inventive genias have given to the world
various valuable devices. His career has indeed been of use to his fellowmen,
and his present rest is well earned.
CHARLES MERRITT WORTHINGTON.
The name of Charles Merritt Worthington figures prominently on the
pages of Whiteside county's history. His birth was almost coincident with the
founding of Sterling, for he was the first white male child born within the
borders of the city. He lived to become an active factor in its business affairs
and public life and his influence was ever found on the side of progress and
improvement. His personal qualities, which commanded the entire respect
of all who knew him, gained for him lasting friendships, so that his memory
is enshrined in the hearts of the great majority of those with whom he came
in contact.
The Worthington family, of which the subject of this review is a repre-
sentative, was founded in America in the seventeenth century by ancestors
786 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
who settled in Connecticut. Thomas Worthington, the grandfather of C. M.
Worthington, was born in that state, served his country as a soldier of the
war of 1812 and throughout his business career engaged in merchandising.
He married Elizabeth Bulkley, and both reached an advanced age. Their
family numbered six children and the last survivor, Thomas Worthington;
passed away at a recent date at the very venerable age of ninety-seven years.
Elijah Worthington, son of Thomas Worthington, Sr., and father of C.
M. Worthington, was born in the state where his ancestors had lived from
colonial days but, departing from the ancestral home, became a resident of
Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, and subsequently removed westward to Illinois
about 1836. He settled on the bank of Rock river at a point that is still known
as Worthington Place. He married Elizabeth Merritt, also a native of Con-
necticut arid a daughter of William Merritt, who was born in the same state
and was a descendant of William Merritt, of an old English family, which has
its branches in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The death of Elijah Worthing-
ton occurred in 1839, when he was about forty years of age and his widow
afterward married a Mr. Goss and removed to Mount Carroll, Illinois.
It was there that Charles Merritt W T orthington spent his boyhood days and
acquired his early education. Hi? father had followed the occupation of farm-
ing in connection with merchandising and had conducted the first store in
Sterling, so that the family name is inseparably associated with the history of
this city. Charles Merritt Worthington, moreover, is entitled to representation
in this volume because of the fact that he was the first male child born in
Sterling, his natal day being September 16, 1838. In later years he became
an active factor in its business and public life. He spent a few years of his
boyhood in Mount Carroll but at the age of fifteen years returned to Sterling,
where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest. He learned
the printer's trade, afterward became a journalist and owned and edited the
Sterling Gazette for many yeare, making it one of the best papers published
in this part of the state. /He was a man of clear, efficient and sound judg-
ment, never hesitated in forming his opinions and presenting his ideas through
the columns of his paper with a clearness and force that left no doubt as to
his position and always carried influence in forming public opinion. His
public service was characterized by the utmost loyalty and devotion to the
duties which devolved upon him. He held office under the United States
government, serving as ganger at the Sterling distillery for four or five years,
while for eight years he was postmaster of the city.
Mr. Worthington was married in 1863 to Miss Elizabeth Page, of Ster-
ling, and to them was born a daughter, May, who became the wife of Cyrus
Cass Collins, of River Forest. Illinois, and died leaving a daughter, Elizabeth
M. Collins, now living in River Forest. In 1865 Mr. Worthington wedded
Miss Anna Wadsworth, of Dixon, Illinois, and they had a son, Walter, now
of Dixon. On the 16th of September, 1900, Mr. Worthington was united in
marriage to Miss Fanny McCartney, a daughter of David and Elizabeth Augus-
ta (Agge) McCartney, and a lady of rare literary tastes, well known upon the
lecture platform.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 787
Mr. Worthington's patriotism found tangible evidence in his valiant
service at the time of the Civil war. He became the first lieutenant of Com-
pany A, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for one hun-
dred days' service and was reported by his colonel as the bravest man in his
regiment. A prominent Mason, he attained high rank in the order, belong-
ing to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ; Sterling Chapter, No. 57,
R. A. M. ; and Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T, while both he and Mrs
Worthington were members of the Order of the Eastern Star. A man of broad
mind, of liberal culture and advanced ideas, he left the impress of his in-
dividuality upon public thought and action and aided in molding the des-
tiny and shaping the history of the county with which he was so closely
identified through a long, active and useful life.
NICHOLAS VOCK.
Among the residents of Whiteside county of foreign birth who, loyal to
public interests, are today numbered among the stalwart American citizens,
is Nicholas Vock, a native of Germany, born May 26, 18'62. The parents were
John and Anna Vock, also natives of Germany. They had a family of nine
children, namely: Nicholas, the subject of this review; Barbara; Phillip;
Lizzie; Margaret, deceased; Lawrence; George, who has also passed away;
George, the second of the name; and one who died in infancy.
Nicholas Vock remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of
age, and then came to America. This country, with its miles upon miles of
broad prairie, its rich mining districts and great forest tracts, has been the
land of opportunity for thousands of people who have come from the old
world, and, moreover, it is the land of opportunity for character development
as well, where the individual is not hampered by caste or class, but makes his
way by reason of real personal merit. After landing on eastern shores Mr.
Vock continued his journey into the interior of the country until he reached
Whiteside county. Here he began working by the month, and that he was
faithful, reliable and capable is indicated by the fact that he was employed
by one man for eight years. He then married and began farming on his
own account, cultivating a tract of rented land for six years, during which
time he saved from the proceeds of his sales of crops a sufficient sum to enable
him to purchase a farm in Whiteside county. He then lived upon his orig-
inal place for seven years, when he sold that property and bought two hun-
dred acres of land on sections 1 and 2, Montmorency township, whereon he
took up his abode in 1902. The fields have been brought under a high state
of cultivation and good farm machinery is used in carrying on the work.
He also raises and feeds stock, and this adds materially to his annual income.
In 1889 Mr. Vock was united in marriage to Miss Sabine Billinger, who
was born in Sterling in 1864, a daughter of John and Johanna (Reichet)
Billinger, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America
in 1858, the father working here as a laborer. He died in the year 1895, and
788 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
the mother, who still survives, now makes her home with a daughter in South
Dakota. Mrs. Vock was one of a family of five children, and by her marriage
has become the mother of ten children: Edward, Clara, Carl, Frances, Eva,.
Marie, Helen, Anna, Joseph and Albert.
In his political views Mr. Vock is a republican, his study of the ques-
tions and issues of the day having led him to give stalwart allegiance to the
grand old party. He has been a school director for nineteen years, has been
road commissioner for seven years and drainage commissioner for seven years.
In these positions he has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity
that none question, and which have led to his long retention in office. He
and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church, and he is a member
of the Knights of Columbus. When he arrived in Whiteside county his cap-
ital could almost literally have been contained in a nutshell, for he possessed
but one dollar. Today he is one of the substantial and prosperous agricul-
turists of the community, and what he has accumulated has been won through
hard work day after day. None question his thrift nor his honesty, and his
example may well serve as a source of inspiration to others, showing that
success is not a matter of genius, but is the outcome of clear judgment, ex-
perience and indefatigable labor.
JAMES THOMAS JACKSON.
While more than a quarter of a century has passed since James Thomas
Jackson was called from the activities of this life he is yet remembered by
many friends who knew him as a leading farmer of Mount Pleasant township,
where he passed away on the 9th of November, 1881. He was born at Wood-
stock, Madison county, New York, on the 28th of February, 1825, his parents
being Orson and Patience (Anthony) Jackson, who were old settlers of Otse-
go county, New York. Both died in the Empire state, where the father had
followed the shoemaker's trade in order to provide for his family. He had
two sons, of whom Lucius Jackson, coming to the west, lived for many years
at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where his death occurred.
James Thomas Jackson was reared and educated in New York and in
early life learned the shoemaker's trade. It is a well known fact that the
west has always been the land of opportunity and attracted by the chances
open here for business development and growth he came to Whiteside county
in 1856. Although he had no previous experience in farm life, he deter-
mined to engage in agricultural pursuits and settled in Mount Pleasant town-
ship. When this farm came into his possession it was a tract of one hundred
and twenty acres of unimproved land, but with characteristic energy he began
its development and soon the track of the plow was seen across the fields.
When the sod was broken and the harrowing done the seed was planted and
in clue lime the once raw prairie brought forth rich crops. As the years
passed modern improvements were added to the place and in 1876 the present
residence was erected. While carrying on general farming Mr. Jackson also
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 789
worked to some extent at his trade in Unionville and other places while mak-
ing his home upon his farm. Here he resided until his death and was recog-
nized as one of the valued citizens of the community.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Jackson put aside all business and per-
sonal considerations and enlisted as a member of Company E, Forty-sixth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. He was promoted from the ranks to
corporal and served for five months, when his health failed him and he was
honorably discharged. He was never a well man afterward and thus practically
gave his life for his country.
Mr. Jackson was married in Madison county, New York, to Miss Sarah
S. Burton, who was born at Eagle Village in Onondaga county, New York,
January 3, 1828. She is a daughter of Sylvanus and Theodosia (Miller) Bur.
ton, who removed from Vermont to the Empire state. In the fall of 1857 Mr.
and Mrs. Burton removed westward to Whiteside county and several years later
went to Benton county, Iowa, where they made their home until called to
their final rest, the father dying in 1884 and the mother in 1882. Mrs.
Jackson was one of six children, of whom three are now deceased. Her sister,
Mrs. Harriet Rockwell, resides in Forestville, New York, while her brother,
George H. Burton, is a resident of California,
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were born five children. Florence, born in
1857, is now the wife of James Larkin, of Moville, Iowa. Charles, born in
1859, died in Whiteside county in 1879. Nora E., born in 1863, became the
wife of Joseph A. Myers, who was born in Mount Pleasant township, this
county, December 5, 1858, a son of Joseph and Maria (Austin) Myers, who
came to this county at a very early day, settling in the timber among the
pioneers. Joseph Myers entered land from the government on section 1.
Mount Pleasant township the place now owned by H. A. Reynolds. Both
he and his wife continued here as prominent and worthy pioneer people up
to the time of their demise, their remains being interred in Morrison. They
had ten children, of whom three are yet living: John C. Myers, a resident of
Bellingham, Washington ; Mrs. Victoria McLennon, of Morrison ; and Joseph
A. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Myers have been born two children : Paul,
who was born in 1886 in Clarke, South Dakota, and is at home; and Ruth,
who was born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1898, and is now in school. Kate L.
Jackson, the fourth member of the family, was born in 1865 and became the
wife of James McCulla and died in Albany, New York, in 1888. Her hus-
band now resides in Ireland. Albert L., born in 1871, is a farmer residing at
Livermore, Humboldt county, Iowa.
In his political views James T. Jackson, the father, was a stalwart repub-
lican but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. However, he
served as school director and was interested in all that pertained to the wel-
fare and substantial upbuilding of the community. He belonged to the
Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a
member of the Methodist Protestant church, to which Mrs. Jackson also be-
longs. He was a man highly esteemed by all who knew him by reason of
his upright life, the straightforward methods which he followed in business
and the honorable principles which characterized him in every relation. Like
790 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
her husband, Mrs. Jackson well deserves mention in this volume, having for
n\ore than a half century resided in the county. She is one of f worthy pio-
neer women and can relate many an interesting tale of the early days and of
the changes which have brought the county to its present condition o
ment and prosperity.
TRUMAN CULVER.
Trur Q Culver, deceased, was born in Boonville, New York, September
9 1835 Tson Truman H. 'and Catharine (Campbell) Culver. The pater-
nal grandfather, Solomon Culver, was a colonel in the Revolutionary war
and was killed in the defense of a fort during an attack by the British.
ml H Culver, the father of our subject, was descended from English ances-
y and was bom in New York in 1805. He followed the ***<*++
ing for about twenty years, and in an early day removed with h , family
China township, Lee county, Illinois, his death occurring in that coun y ,
the vear 1866 His wife's birth occurred in 1810 and she passed away at
Cambridge, Nebraska, in the '80s. In the family of this worthy couple were
fifteen chMren, eleven of whom grew to maturity, while four died in in ancy
and early childhood. Of the sons, Herman was a member of the Seventh
Illinois Cavalry and now makes his home at Port Angeles, Washington.
Staunton, a servant of the Fifth Wisconsin *^^E***&
all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, was killed at the battle of the
Wilderness. He received seven wounds and was buried upon the field,
liam, a member of the Twelfth Illinois Infantry, was killed in the attack
upon Fort Donelson, being among the first to scale the fortifications.
was also buried on the field.
Truman Culver, after acquiring a good literary education, taught school
for several terms. In 1859, lured by the prospect of attaining wealth quickly
he went to Pike's Peak, but his experiences there were not all
anticipated and after a short time he returned to the east. Subsequently he
taught school at Oswego, New York, for one term, after which he accom-
pTnied his parents to Lee county, Illinois, locating m Union Grove township.
While still residing there the Civil war broke out and he at once raised
a company and was selected its captain, but he finally resigned hiscom-
mision and the company disbanded. On the 2d of September 1861, he
lited afa private in Company C, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and was mus-
tered into service at St. Charles on the 18th of . September. It was soon
dTscov red that he knew more of military tactic, than any other member
o ?S company and that he employed himself almost nightly m drilling the
companv In" a short time the regiment proceeded to their winter quarter,
at Mexlndria The command was ordered to the front and took up its
Mne of march for Richmond. Before reaching Manassas Sergeant Culver
reconnoitered alone and on seeing seeing a rebel concluded to capture him,
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 793
but he was suddenly confronted by two more, who commanded him to sur-
render, firing upon him at the same time. Mr. Culver at once started to
return to his comrades, but the enemy were reinforced by two more men,
who also began firing on him. Throwing himself on the side of his horse, he
managed to escape their bullets and at length reached camp in safety.
Moving on in the advance, with an occasional skirmish, the command
reached Rappahannock Station, where they dislodged the enemy, number-
ing thirty thousand strong, driving them across the Rappahannock. The
Fourth New York Cavalry, while out on a foraging expedition, became con-
fused and separated into two squadrons and, each mistaking the other for
rebels, began firing upon each other. The Eighth Illinois came to the rescue
and soon settled the difficulty by capturing both squadrons. During the
winter of 1862-3 the regiment was chiefly employed in picket duty and on
scouting expeditions in that section of the country. On the 24th of May,
1863, Sergeant Culver was promoted to the position of second lieutenant.
The spirit of patriotism was strong within him, for the blood of Revolu-
tionary ancestors flowed in his veins and he had added new laurels to the
already splendid military record of the family. Throughout his long and
interesting career as a soldier his conduct was especially distinguished for a
rare and indomitable courage under all the peculiar and trying circum-
stances by which he was surrounded. He rose from the ranks to the posi-
tion of first lieutenant and on many occasions commanded his company
when in action. During the first day's battle at Gettysburg he took com-
mand of a special detachment of two companies on the left flank, and
throughout the remainder of his life he carried in his foot a ball that he
received in this engagement. On the 1st of October, 1864, he received his
honorable discharge, having served his country long and well and with a
bravery questioned by none.
Returning to the pursuits of civil life, Mr. Culver conducted a grocery
business in Rock Falls for about fourteen years, his annual sales amounting
to from forty to fifty thousand dollars. Subsequently he was engaged in the
boot and shoe business on an extensive scale and also met with a gratifying
degree of success in the conduct of this enterprise. His reliable and straight-
forward business methods gained for him the confidence and esteem of all
with whom he was associated and he was widely recognized as one of the
most prominent merchants and public-spirited citizens of Whiteside county.
Mr. Culver was united in marriage on the 5th of September, 1865, at
Morrison, Illinois, to Miss Clarinda Allen, a daughter of Philip and Har-
riet (Wilson) Allen and a native of Saratoga county, New York. Her
paternal grandfather, William Allen, lived in that county and pa-sed away
there when well advanced in years. His wife was Hannah Allen. The ma-
ternal grandfather, Ezra AVilson, for several years a member of the New
York legislature, was a tanner and a manufacturer. The parents of Mrs.
Culver were also natives of Saratoga county, New York, and she was but
twelve years of age when she accompanied them on their removal to Mor-
rison, Illinois, where she grew to womanhood. Philip Allen was a car-
penter and contractor by trade and lived at Morrison for many years,
794 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
passing away there at the age of sixty. His wife survived him and was
sixty-five years of age at the time of her demise. Mrs. Culver was an only
child and by her marriage also had but one child, Glen, who died at the
age of five years.
In his political views Mr. Culver was a stalwart republican and took a
prominent part in the local work of the party. He served as the first post-
master of Rock Falls, remaining in office from 1868 to 1872, and was also
a member of the school board. He was a delegate to the state convention
held at Chicago in September, 1891, and was ever to be found working on
the side of reform and improvement. He was a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and of the American Protective Association,
while he kept in touch with his old army comrades through his membership
in the Grand Army of the Republic. He also belonged to the Masonic
lodge at Sterling and at his death, which occurred January 31, 1907, he
was laid to rest in the Morrison cemetery with Masonic honors. The county
mourned the loss of one of its most prominent and honored citizens, one
who in every relation of life had proved himself worthy of the entire con-
fidence and trust of his fellowmen. Mrs. Culver, who survives her husband,
has gained an extensive circle of friends during the long period of her resi-
dence here, her good traits of heart and mind having won for her the
admiration and kindly regard of all with whom she has come in contact.
CHARLES A. ROSENGREN.
Charles A. Rosengren, who follows general agricultural pursuits in Colo-
ma township, was born in Sweden, December 30, 1860. a son of Gustave B. and
Marie (Johnson) Rosengren. In 1870 the parents with their family crossed
the Atlantic and settled at Rock P'alls, Illinois. The father was a painter by
trade, and known as a skillful artisan, manifesting particular ability in his
line as -carriage decorator and stripper. He was employed by the Keystone
Manufacturing Company but while thus engaged became interested in farm-
ing and in 1880 resigned his position with the manufacturing company and
devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his remain-
ing days, his death occurring April 25, 1906, when he had reached the age
of seventy-one years. His life was an active, useful and honorable one, and
he left to his family of eight children the priceless heritage of an honorable
name. He had reared his children to habit? of industry and integrity and
all have become industrious and respected citizens. The paternal grand-
father of our subject was Barnhard Rosengren, an extensive paper manufac-
turer of Sweden, who lived in the county of Halland. He married a Miss
Ahlgren. whose father was a custom house inspector for many years.
Charles A. Rosengren was provided the educational privileges afforded
by the public schools. He was less than ten years of age at the time of the
emigration to America and as his years and strength increased he assisted his
father more and more largely in the work of the home farm until twenty-two
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 795
years of age, when he began life for himself. The first year he farmed for
his brother on what was known as the old Holland place in Lee county. He
then rented land in Nelson township, where he continued for three years, after
which he took up his abode on the Long farm, spending the succeeding year
there.
On the 7th of March, 1889, Mr. Rosengren made preparations for having
a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Jennie A. Christopher, a daugh-
ter of John and Marie (Dorf) Christopher, natives of Sweden and still resi-
dents of that country. The father is a farmer and is also interested to some
extent with his sons in a large mercantile enterprise.
The year following his marriage Mr. Rosengren left the Long farm and
for twelve years lived on the old Samuel Stone homestead. In 1902 he pur-
chased the place upon which he now resides, constituting one hundred and
seventy-three acres of rich and productive land, which he has brought under
a high state of cultivation. He now has a beautiful country home and there
are other substantial buildings upon the place, while the well tilled fields
and good grades of stock indicate the progressive spirit of the owner.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rosengren has been blessed with four
children : Ethel Marie, who is now a senior in the township high school at
Sterling; Ruth Hildur, Helen Irene 'and Charles Gustave Lawrence, all of
whom are in school. All Mr. Rosengren's brothers and sisters are living and
their homes are within a radius of a few miles and all are prosperous citi-
zens of Whiteside county. Charles A. Rosengren is a liberal minded, progres-
sive, enterprising man, highly esteemed by all who know him. He belongs
to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Rock Falls, to the Knights of the Globe, gives
his political support to the republican party and is a Lutheran in religious
faith.
BENJAMIN T. GREENE.
Benjamin T. Greene was born November 15. 1865, in Lyndon township
find has always resided within its borders, his home being now on section 11.
He is a son of Giles and Laura (Mann) Greene, and a grandson of Benjamin
T. and Hettie (Wilson) Greene. His grandparents were William and Mary
A. Greene and Tibbets and Phoebe Wilson. Giles Greene was born at Willett,
Cortland county, New York, March 13, 1822. His father was a native of
Rhode Island and after his removal to the Empire state became a member of
the New York State Militia, with which he served in the war of 1812. He
was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit throughout his entire
life. It was in 1809 that he removed with his parents to Cortland county,
there living until his demise. His son, Giles Greene, was reared on the home
farm there and was educated in Cortland and Oxford Academy. At the age of
eighteen years he began teaching, which profession he followed during the
winter seasons, while in the summer months he engaged in farming until
after the death of his parents in 1853. Coming to the west, he arrived in
796 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Whiteside county in 1854 and located in Lyndon township, where he made
his home until his death. As the years passed he prospered and rose to
prominence in agricultural circles. His first purchase of land was on sections
1 arid 12 and included about fifteen acres which had been plowed. The im-
provements were a little house and a straw stable but he possessed a laudable
ambition and as his financial resources increased he added to his property from
time to time until he became the owner of over nine hundred acres, thus gain-
ing a place among the extensive landowners of the county. All of this re-
mains in the estate except a tract of one hundred and thirty-two acres, which
has been sold.
Giles Greene was married February 6, 1855, at Cincinnatus, Cortland
county, New York, to Miss Laura Mann, who was born in Delaware county,
New York, December 27, 1827, and, still surviving, resides with a daughter
in Sterling. Her parents were Aristarchus and Sophia (Kneeland) Mann,
the former a son of Oliver and Content (Hill) Mann, the latter a daughter
of Daniel and Grace Kneelaud. Mr. Greene had been a resident of White-
side county for two years when he returned to New York for his bride. Un-
to them were born five children : Harriett J., deceased ; Ray, who resides on the
old homestead; Mary Sophia, the wife of E. H. Wooster, of Sterling; Benjamin
T., of this review; and Stark, a traveling salesman residing in Sterling. The
death of the father occurred January 6, 1898, when he was almost seventy-six
years of age. He had led a very busy and useful life, attended by the success
which ever follows persistent effort, intelligently directed. For many years
he made stock-raising the piincipal feature of his farm, raising cattle, hogs and
horses on an extensive scale. His political allegiance was always given to the
democracy.
Benjamin T. Greene, spending his entire life in Lyndon township, was
reared on the old homestead farm and the work of the farm in its various de-
partments early became familiar to him and qualified him for the labors of
later life. He is now the owner of eighty-seven acres of land on section 11,
and for nine years has resided upon this place, during which time he has added
many substantial improvements that make it one of the pleasing feature? of
the landscape. He erected his present residence and also has good barns and
outbuildings upon the place, while in his farm work he uses the latest im-
proved machinery.
On the 22d of December, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Miss Lelia
Isabelle Cady and Benjamin T. Greene. The birth of Mrs. Greene occurred
in Lyndon township, December 22. 1870, her parents being George R. and
Nettie V. (Parshall) Cady, the former a native of Lyndon township and the
latter of New York. George R. Cady was born August 25, 1840, his father,
Amos Cady, having come to Whiteside county in 1837. He purchased a claim
on section 29. Lyndon township, and entered a second claim on section 20.
On the latter he built a frame house, which was one of the first of that con-
struction in the county and it remained his place of residence until his death,
which Occurred November 5, 1857. His first wife died in 1836 and on the
21st of March, 1837, he married Charity Crippen, who was born January 10,
1812, in Rome, Oneida county, New York, a daughter of Peter and Char-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 797
lotte (Smith) Crippen. Amos Cady brought his wife as a bride to Whiteside
county, making the journey westward by way of the lakes to Detroit and
thence by team to their destination. They took possession of the little pioneer
cabin here and while Mrs. Cady managed the household aifairs Mr. Cady
carefully conducted the work of the fields. He died November 5, 1857, and
his wife ever remained true to his memory, never marrying again. Her last
days were spent in Lyndon, where she died at the very advanced age of nine-
ty-three years, being one of the oldest residents of the county. In all her
life in this community she was a potent factor for all that was good and en-
nobling. She left five children: William, who is living in Kansas City,
Missouri ; George R. ; Orlando, of Lyndon ; Mrs. Charles Lewis, of Westgate,
Iowa; and Eliza, of Philadelphia, Missouri.
Of this number George R. Cady, father of Mrs. Greene, was reared on
the old homestead farm in Lyndon township. On the 14th of February, 1862,
he wedded Nettie V. Parshall, and they became the parents of six children:
Walter D., of Rock Falls; Mrs. Elva Hazard, of Erie, Illinois; Mrs. Zella Allen,
of Lyndon; Mrs. Greene; Dewitt R., of Erie, Illinois; and George Merle. For
two years the father was in ill health and on the 2d of June, 1905, passed
away. He was devoted to the welfare of his family, was a kind neighbor and
worthy citizen and enjoyed to the fullest degree the respect and good will of
all who knew him. For nearly a quarter of a century he served as constable
of Lyndon.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Greene began their domestic life
upon a farm in Lyndon township and nine years ago came to their present
home. His political allegiance is given to the democracy but he has never
sought nor desired office, preferring always to concentrate his energies upon
his business affairs, which, capably directed, are bringing to him merited
success.
EDWIN LIMOND.
Edwin Limond, a cigar manufacturer and news dealer conducting busi-
ness in Rock Falls, was born in New Brunswick, Canada, July 30, 1847, a son
of William and Jane (Baxter) Limond, the former a native of Scotland and
the latter of New Brunswick but of Scotch parentage. The maternal grand-
father of our subject was Elijah Baxter, a native of Scotland and a man of
considerable means, who owned a large tract of land. He passed away in
New Brunswick at the age of ninety-eight years. William Limond, who was
a shipbuilder and a sea captain, died in New Brunswick at the remarkably old
age of one hundred and four years, having long survived his wife, who passed
away in 1 851 when about forty-eight years of age. They were Presbyterians in
religious faith, and their family numbered ten children, nine sons and one
daughter, of whom five still survive: John, of Chicago; David, who resides
in Boston, Massachusetts; Andrew S., who makes his home in Minneapolis,
Minnesota: Edwin, of this review: and Adam B., of Boston. Elijah Limond,
798 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
a member of this family, served as a soldier in the Civil war for three years
and nine months as a member of the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infan-
try. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Shiloh, went with Sherman on
his celebrated march to the sea and participated in many important battles
of the war, being promoted several times for bravery.
Edwin Limond remained in the place of his nativity until eighteen
years of age, his father sailing out of Portland. He received a good literary
education, being graduated from the high school, and taught for several terms
in New Brunswick. Subsequently he crossed the border into the United
States, removing westward to Saginaw, Michigan, where he remained for one
year. On the expiration of that period he came to Fulton, Whiteside county,
Illinois, where he was employed by C. L. Ware and ran a boat on the Miss-
issippi river for one season. He then took up his abode in Sterling, where he
learned the cigarmaker's trade and lived for four years, when he removed to
Clinton, Iowa, thence to Ottawa, Illinois, following his trade for two years.
Subsequently he returned to New Brunswick and a year later went to Boston,
New York and various other cities. In 1898 he once more came to White,-' 1 ,
county and opened a cigar factory of his own in Rock Falls, where he has
since conducted a successful business. He manufactures a number of popular
brands, including The Bell, Queen Bee, Saskatoon, The Gee Whiz, Friendly
Tip and others. In addition to- his cigar manufacturing enterprise he con-
ducts a news stand, handling newspapers and the various popular magazines.
His factory is located on Second street and he has met with a gratifying meas-
ure of prosperity in the conduct of both branches of his business.
Mr. Limond was united in marriage to Miss Ida Ralston, and is now the
father of five children, namely: William, Blanche, Wallace, Irene and Ed-
win, Jr. Miss Blanche Limond is now a school teacher at North Hume.
In his political views Mr. Limond has always been a stanch republican.
He resides at No. 405 Fourth avenue and is well and favorably known through-
out the community as a progressive and enterprising citizen and business man.
WILLIAM A. SANBORN.
The name of William A. Sanborn was an honored one in business circles
in Sterling. Through the force of his character, his strong purpose and laud-
able ambition he gradually worked his way upward until for some years prior to
his death he was cashier of the First National Bank. His birth occurred in
Cattaraugus county, New York, January 13, 1832, his parents being Joseph
and Anna (Blaisdell) Sanborn, also natives of the Empire state. Following
the death of the father, the mother came to the west at an early day and
lived with her brother, who had preceded her to Polo, Illinois. There she
passed away when well advanced in age.
W T illiam A. Sanborn was reared in Cattaraugus county and acquired a
common-school education but early started out in life on his own account. He
was but twelve years of age when he began to earn his own living and in his
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 799
youth and early manhood he followed various pursuits, scorning no employ-
ment that would yield him an honest living. The rapidly growing west with
its broader opportunities attracted him and in 1854 he came to Illinois, where
he had charge of a construction gang on the Northwestern Railroad, which
was then being built. He was also in charge of a force of workmen on the
hydraulic power on the dam across Rock river at Sterling. Subsequently he
became agent for the American Express Company at Sterling and occupied
the position for a number of years, also acting as agent for the McCormick
agricultural implements. He likewise conducted a coal business and through
these various undertakings he accumulated capital sufficient to enable him to
establish a private banking business on Depot street. There, in August, 1864,
his safe was broken open and robbed. He afterward removed his business to
the present site of the First National Bank, where then stood a one-story brick
building. The express office was conducted in the rear end of the building.
When the First National Bank was organized Mr. Sanborn became one of its
stockholders and in fact was largely instrumental in forming the company
that resulted in the establishment of the business. From the beginning he
served as cashier and so continued up to the time of his deathVwhich occurred
October 24, 1901, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years and nine
months. In all his business relations he was found reliable and trustworthy as
well as energetic and determined, and his example may well serve as a stimu-
lus and an encouragement to others.
Mr. Sanborn was married to Miss Helen McCune, a daughter of William
McCune. They became the parents of a son and two daughters: John San-
born; Anne, now deceased; and Helen, who died at the age of three years.
The son, John Sanborn, was born and reared in Sterling, attended the pub-
lic schools and was graduated from the noted Philips Exeter Academy at
Exeter, New Hampshire. He then turned his attention to the, stock business
and engaged in the breeding and raising of horses, in which he continued with
his father until the latter's death. He has since lived retired, giving his
supervision to his invested interests. He is now a director in the First National
Bank and has other income property. Mrs. Sanborn was reared in the faith of
the Episcopal church. She was a lady of many excellent traits of character,
devoted to the welfare of her husband and children, while in friendship she
was ever loyal. She died in 1871 at the age of thirty-three years.
Mr. Sanborn survived for three decades. In his death Sterling lost one
of its representative and honored citizens. He served as mayor of the city for
one term, was supervisor for a number of years and a member of the school
board for about forty years. In all his relations to the public he was found a
faithful official, placing the general good before personal aggrandizement and
Ihe public welfare before partisanship. His business interests were of a nature
that contributed largely to the upbuilding and commercial progress of the
city. Aside from his banking interests he was for a number of years presi-
dent of the Sterling Hydraulic Company, acting in that capacity up to the
time of bis death. He was likewise president of the Sterling Gas and Electric
Light Works and in business was notably prompt, energetic and reliable. He
formed his plans readily and was determined in their execution, yet in man-
800 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ner he was quiet and reserved rather than aggressive. He commanded respect
because his strong qualities stood the test of time and of friendship. He was
a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplified the sterling
principle.* of the craft, .^hile his somewhat reticent manner in a degree
limited the number of ms friends, those who came within the closer circle of
a more intimate acquaintance entertained for him the warmest esteem while
all who knew him respected him for what he accomplished and for the prin-
ciples which guided him in every relation of life./
DANIEL HOLLINSHEAD.
No resident of Whiteside county has more intimate or accurate knowl-
edge of the events which have shaped its history, the course of its progress
and the nature of its development than Daniel Hollinshead, who since 1839
has lived in Whiteside county, while for sixty-seven years he has made his
home upon the farm which is yet his place of residence. He well deserves
prominent mention in this volume, as his life record has been in many
respects exemplary, proving a practical illustration of progressive citizenship
and honorable business methods.
Mr. Hollinshead was born in Kingston, Canada, February 7, 1834, hia
parents being John and Elizabeth (Rush) Hollinshead. The mother was a
native of Pennsylvania and a grandniece of Benjamin Rush, one of the
signers of the Declaration of Independence. Her mother, Mrs. Julia Ann
Rush, belonged to &. very patriotic family and she heartily espoused the cause
of the colonists. Frequently donning male attire she did picket duty for the
patriot army in the Revolutionary war. Subsequently she accompanied her
son-in-law, John Hollinshead, to Canada, and afterward came with the family
to Whiteside county, Illinois, where she died in 1842, her grave being made
in the family cemetery on the home farm.
John Hollinshead was a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, born January
6, 1798, and was quite young when he went to Canada with his father, Jacob
Hollinshead, who died in that country. The latter was a native of one of the
eastern states, was a hatter by trade and in religious faith was a Friend, or
Quaker. Reared in the Dominion, John Hollinshead having arrived at years
of maturity, was there married to Elizabeth Rush and continued a resident
of Canada until 1839, when with his wife and five children he again crossed
the border, once more becoming a resident of the United States. He located
in Whiteside county when it was an almost unbroken wilderness. The jour-
ney had been made by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago, which city had
been incorporated only two years before. Thence they proceeded by wagon
to this county and established a home in what is now Clyde township. Be-
lieving that the geographical situation of Chicago would one day make it a
great city, John Hollinshead returned there and bargained for a farm in what
:s now the heart of the metropolis, but as he could not collect money which
was due him did not succeed in making the purchase. For two years he
LIBRAHY
OF TH
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 803
resided in Clyde township and twice during that period hauled grain to the
Chicago market, where he sold his wheat at sixty cents per bushel. He was
closely associated with the early development of the county and at the time
of his death had succeeded in improving a new farm of one hundred and
forty acres in Ustick township. He died in 1845, while his wife passed away
in the spring of 1863.
Daniel Hollinshead spent the first five years of his life in the county of
his birth and since that time has been a resident of Whiteside county. In
his early boyhood he pursued his studies in a little log schoolhouse under
"the bluff" and in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons
which a retentive memory has fixed upon his mind. Reading and observa-
tion have also broadened his knowledge and made his opinions of worth in
the settlement of community affairs. His training at farm labor was not
meager, for from an early day he followed the plow and on attaining his
majority he and his brother Jacob rented the farm from their mother and
thus cultivated it for four years. He still lives upon the old homestead,
which has now been his place of residence for sixty-seven years and today his
landed possessions comprise two hundred and eighty acres in Ustick and in
Fulton townships. He was at one time engaged quite extensively in the
breeding of fine horses and was the owner of a fine stallion and also had an
interest in a Belgium draft horse. He has also fed cattle and hogs quite
extensively for the market and in addition to general farming and stock-
raising he buys and sells farm properties.
Mr. Hollinshead has been married twice. On the 2d of July, 1859, he
wedded Mary Knight, who was born in Hancock county, Illinois, a daughter
of Wesley and Louisa (Cowles) Knight, who were of Mormon faith and when
the people of that denomination were driven from Nauvoo came to Fulton,
where her father died while on his way to California. His wife was a daugh-
ter of Elder Cowles, one of the elders who was opposed to Brigham Young on
the question of polygamy. Mr. Hollinshead died April 8, 1864, leaving four
children, of whom three passed away in infancy. The only one now surviving
is Dora, the wife of Quincy L. Slocum, who is superintendent of sand com-
panies at St. Louis, Missouri, and they have two living children, Leith H.
and Lloyd Q., and one deceased, Liebling Mary, who died March 15, 1907.
Having lost his first wife, Mr. Hollinshead was married September 16,
1868, to Miss Rebecca M. Hubbell, who was born in Summit county, Ohio,
July 31, 1837, a daughter of Matthew and Betsy (Foote) Hubbell, the latter
a native of eastern New York and the former of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
He was a son of Andrew Hubbell, a farmer, and on leaving the home farm
Matthew Hubbell learned the tailor's trade in New Berlin, New York, follow-
ing that vocation until forty-five years of age. After spending some time in
Ohio, he removed to St. Clair county, Michigan, where he began farming
and there his death occurred in November, 1886. His early political allegi-
ance was given to the democracy, but in antebellum days he became a stanch
abolitionist and took an active part in the operation of the underground
railroad. His first wife died January 19, 1840, and in 1842 he wedded her
sister, Seraphina Foote, by whom he had one son, Matthew. There were
804 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
five children of his first marriage, of whom one died in infancy, while Lucy
died at the age of twenty-two years. The others are: Lois, the wife of
Harvey Coburn, of Sanilac county, Michigan; Angelina, the wife of John
Allen, of St. Clair county, Michigan ; and Mrs. Hollinshead.
By her marriage Mrs. Rebecca Hollinshead became the mother of six
children : Delia A., the wife of Frank Hollinshead, a resident of Plainville,
Kansas, by whom she has one son, Thayer D., and a daughter, Jeunnette,
deceased; L. Hubbell, who married Phernia Wilson and died March 8, 1901;
D. Earl, who married Mrs. Phernia Hollinshead, the widow of his brother,
and lives with his father, operating the farm ; Archie F., who died December
5, 1881, at the age of five years; C. Burton, who is also assisting in carrying
on the home farm and has recently patented an animal tamer; and Clare R.,
at home.
Aside from his farming interests, Mr. Hollinshead has been identified
with the Garden Plain Mutual Insurance Company. His position on political
questions is never an equivocal one. He gives stalwart support to the democ-
racy and has filled several local offices. He served for six years as road com-
missioner, was also school director for a number of years and was likewise
justice of the peace. Whether in office or out of it he is always loyal to the
interests of the community and his aid and cooperation have ever been
. counted upon for the furtherance of works of public moment. His memory
forms a connecting link between the primitive past, with all of its pioneer
hardships, trials and privations, and the progressive present, with its many
evidences of modern civilization. For almost seven decades he has lived in
the county, spending his boyhood days here when it was a frontier district,
aiding in his manhood in its development and upbuilding, while in the even-
ing of life he enjoys the advantages that have come with the passing of time
as the county has been settled and improved. He enjoys the regard of young
and old, rich and poor, and has the confidence and trust of all with whom
business or social relations have brought him in contact.
CLARENCE E. JOHNSON.
Clarence E. Johnson, publisher of The Record of Morrison, was born at
Weston, McLean county. Illinois, August 18, 1868, a son of Dr. Hiram E.
and Anna E. (Wheeler) Johnson. His paternal grandfather, who also bore
the name of Hiram Johnson, carried powder and ammunition to the boats
at the battle of Lake Champlain and he had a half brother who belonged to
the famous Vermont Rangers and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga.
Hiram Johnson, Sr., wedded Esther Tyler, who was born near Brattleboro, Ver-
mont, and whose father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
Dr. Hiram E. Johnson is a native of Windham, Vermont, born Decem-
ber 17, 1834, and is now living in Fairbury. Illinois, at the age of seventy-
three years. He wa< reared to farm life, pursued hi* early education in the
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 805
common schools and was graduated from the Castleton Medical College at Cas-
tleton, Vermont, on the 17th of June, 1857. He afterward pursued post-
graduate work at Belleview College, in New York city in 1863-4. He arrived
in Illinois on the 14th of April, 1865, and settled at Stillman Valley near
Rock ford, where he practiced his profession for about three years. He next
.settled at Weston and built the first house in that place, also establishing a
drug store there. He likewise served as postmaster and remained at that loca-
tion for ten years. In 1876 he removed to Fairbury, where he still resides and
where he is now practically living retired, spending his winters in Florida.
He has been very successful as a medical practitioner and business man and
lias made judicious investments in property, including realty in Illinois, South
Dakota and Florida, his property interests now bringing him a good income.
His life has been actuated by high and honorable purposes in harmony with
his profession as a member of the Baptist church. He has served as an offi-
cer in the church and does all in his power to promote its growth and extend
its influence. He was prominent in the Odd. Fellows Society in former years
and for a long period was a stalwart republican but for several years past has
been actively identified with the prohibition party, which indicates his views
upon the temperance question. He is now serving as secretary of the prohibi-
tion central committee and does all in his power to inculcate the spirit of tem-
perance among those with whom he comes in contact. He married Anna E.
Wheeler, who was born in New York city and is of English ancestry. Her
father, Lucius Wheeler, was a manufacturer of hammers, skates and other
iron goods in the eastern metropolis. His wife was Mrs. Sarah R. Wheeler,
and his father was Joseph Wheeler, who was captain of a company in one of
the Vermont regiments during the war of the Revolution, and was accorded
prominent mention in some of the old United States histories. Mrs. Johnson
is still living at the age of seventy-two years and Ls also a member of the
Baptist church. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Hiram E. Johnson were born five chil-
dren : William H.. a postal clerk on the Chicago & Alton railroad, making
his home at Normal, Illinois; Florence E., who is manager of the Chicago
Art Education Company, located in the McClurg building at Chicago; Clar-
ence E., of this review ; and Lucius and Charles, both of whom died in infancy.
Clarence E. Johnson was a pupil in the country schools and also in the
public schools of Fairbury. He was afterwards employed for about five years
in the Elgin Watch factory and then entered the newspaper field at Sibley,
Illinois, having purchased the Sibley Gazette. After three months he sold
that paper and went to Clifton, Illinois, where he established the Clifton Ad-
vocate in February, 1893, continuing the publication of that paper until the
fall of 1902, when he sold the plant and removed to Winchester, where he
purchased a defunct plant and established the Scott County Herald. After
publishing it for two years he again sold out in 1904 and purchased the in-
terest of W. B. Barnes in The Record at Morrison, since which time he has
conducted the paper with growing success. It is a weekly republican paper,
devoted to local interests and has a good circulation and also a gratifying
advertising patronage. He conducts in connection therewith a good job de-
partment, making a specialty of high grade printing.
806 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
In 1891 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Harriet L. Cox, who
was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1870, a daughter of Franklin F. and Lucy
(Parmalee) Cox, the father a traveling salesman. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had
three children but lost their first born, Harold E. The others are Howard A.
and Esther L. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and
active in its work, Mr. Johnson serving now as a member of the session. He
has membership relations with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood-
men of America and gives his political allegiance to the republican party.
Matters of general interest awaken his attention and receive his cooperation.
He is now secretary of the Whiteside Farmers Mutual Telephone Company and
treasurer of the board of trustees of the Odell public library of Morrison. He
is also a member of the Jackson hose company, the volunteer fire department
of the city. His interest in community affairs is always that of an active
worker and his labors have been an element in the substantial development
of Morrison since he allied his interests with hers.
DAVID MCCARTNEY.
David McCartney, whose position of prominence in connection with the
business interests and public life of Sterling well entitled him to representation
in this volume, as one of the honored residents of Whiteside county, was born
in Dansville, New York, September 16, 1807. His parents, William and Mary
(McCurdy) McCartney; were natives of Scotland, born near Castle Douglas,
in Kirkcudbrightshire. Their family numbered thirteen children, ten of
whom reached adult age, but all are now deceased. The father, emigrating
to the new world, became a farmer of the Genesee valley of New York and
had a large estate in Livingston county, where he died when about sixty years
of age. His wife survived him for about twenty years or more and had
passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey at the time of her demise. She
possessed remarkable business and executive ability as well as keen, strong in-
tellect that was manifest in literary taste. They came to America in the eigh-
teenth century and William McCartney was the founder of the family in this
country. His father and also his grandfather likewise bore the
name of William. The maternal grandfather of our subject lived and died in
County Down, Ireland, passing away at an advanced age. He was a farmer
who owned and cultivated land on the Emerald isle. His wife, Mrs. Mar-
garet (Ferrier) McCoy, also attained an advanced age.
David McCartney, whose name introduces this record, spent the days of
his boyhood and youth in Dansville, New York, and as a young man engaged
in business there as a dry-goods merchant, but thinking that the opportunities
were better in the west he came to the Mississippi valley in 1843 and spent two
years in St. Louis in the dry-goods business. . He afterward removed to Ful-
ton, Illinois, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. He then en-
gaged in the practice of the profession for a number of years, or until 1865,
when he came to Sterling. Here he was soon recognized as a prominent, able
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 807
lawyer and continued to act as prosecuting attorney for the four districts of
northern Illinois. His legal skill and knowledge were widely recognized and
gained him distinction at a bar numbering many prominent members.
Mr. McCartney was twice married. He first wedded Miss Anne McNair
and unto them were born two daughters: Elizabeth, the widow of Augustus
N. Parker and a resident of Dansville, New York: and Mary Anne, of Sterling,
who is the widow of the late James A. Gait. Following the death of his first
wife, Mr. McCartney was married to Miss Augusta Agge and unto them were
born five children, three sons and two daughters, but the sons died in infancy.
Their daughter, Fannie, became the wife of Charles Merritt Worthirigton and
is mentioned elsewhere in this volume, while Anne is the wife of C. L. Shel-
don, one of the prominent attorneys of Sterling.
The death of Mr. McCartney occurred in Sterling on the 19th of March,
1895, when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years, and his wife sur-
vived him for about eleven years, passing away at the age of seventy-seven.
He was a very talented man and is said to have been the finest orator that has
ever practiced before the Whiteside county bar. He was noted for his witti-
cisms,, for his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence
and his skillful tact in winning decisions. He never lost but one case. He
was particularly celebrated as a criminal lawyer and presented his cases with
a clearness and cogency that left no doubt as to the correctness of his posi-
tion. He practiced quite largely before the supreme court of the state and was
widely recognized throughout Illinois as one of its able attorneys. His atten-
tion was given strictly to his profession and his undivided allegiance no doubt
in large measure accounts for his eminent success as a lawyer. He inscribed
his name high on the keystone of the legal arch of Illinois and his professional
record reflected credit and honor upon the bar of the state.
MYRON C. BUMP.
Myron C. Bump, a representative of the farming interests of Clyde town-
ship, belongs to one of the old families of Whiteside county. His father,
Joseph W. Bump, located in this county in 1855. He was born in De Ruyter
township, Madison county, New York, June 16, 1831, his parents being Mar-
cus and Mary A. (Winegar) Bump, the former 'a native of New England and
the latter of New York. They were both representatives, however, of old New
England families and following their marriage they were numbered among
the farming people of Madison county, New York, until called to their final
rest. They held membership with the Society of Friends and the father died
in 1871 at the age of seventy years, while his wife died in 1858 aged nearly
sixty years.
Joseph Bump remained upon the home farm until about eighteen years
of age and in 1849 became a blacksmith's apprentice under his uncle, Edward
Mitchell, of Cayuga county, New York. He was thus employed for three
years and in the meantime removed to Onondaga county, New York, where he
808 .HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
worked at his trade until twenty-three years of age. Attracted by the oppor-
tunities of the middle west, he then came alone to Whiteside county, Illinois,
March 26, 1855, settling in Clyde township, where he purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of land. For a few years, however, he did not cultivate hi.<
farm to any extent but continued to engage in blacksmithing and also worked
as a farm laborer in the community, after which he began the improvement of
his own property.
Joseph W. Bump was married in Fairview, Mercer county, Pennsylvania)
December 27, 1865, to Miss Alvira L. Converse, who was born in Medina
county, Ohio, August 4, 1836, a daughter of Winthrop and Laura (Went-
worth) Converse, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of
Canada. Both were of English lineage and of more direct New England
ancestry. Her father died in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in August, 1868,
after which the mother made her home with a son in Iowa until her death
in September, 1882, at the age of eighty-two years. Mrs. Bump was but five
years old when her parents removed from Ohio to Mercer county, Pennsyl-
vania, where she was educated. She was brought as a bride to the farm in
Clyde township which her husband had secured and with characteristic energy
they began the further improvement and development of the place, Mrs.
Bump carefully managing the interests of the household, while her husband
performed the work of the fields. He built here a fine residence after the
war and substantial outbuildings and in addition to grain production also
engaged in raising Durham cattle. His farming interests, however, were in-
terrupted by his active military service in the Civil war, for on the 3d day of
August, 1862, he joined the Seventy-fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers,
enlisting in Company C under Captain Altman, of Morrison, and he was mus-
tered in at Dixon, September 2. He was with his regiment in the battle of
Perryville, Kentucky, September 8, 1862, and also met the enemy between
Lancaster, Crab Orchard and Danville. Soon after he became ill and was
sent to the hospital at Danville. October 25. 1862, where he was honorably
discharged in the spring of 1863. On the organization of the republican party
he became one of its stalwart supporters and he continued a believer in the
faith of the Society of Friends, while Mrs. Bump became a .member of the
Baptist church. Their family numbered three sons: Myron C., born Sep-
tember 2, 1866; Winthrop M., March 26, 1869; and Marcus S., November 16,
1873. The last named, however, died January 8, 1894, at the age of twenty
years, one month and twenty-three days. The father died May 28, 1887.
The mother still survives and is one of the esteemed pioneer women of the
county. She has changed her church relationship from Morrison to the Mal-
vern German Baptist church.
Myron C. Bump was reared upon the old homestead farm, no event of
special importance occurring to vary the routine of life for him in his boy-
hood days. He attended the public schools and received ample training in
the work of the fields, assisting in the cultivation and development of the
home place from the time he was old enough to handle the plow. The old
homestead is now being operated by him and his brother, W. M. Bump, and
comprises one hundred and ten acres of arable and productive land on section
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 809
27, Clyde township. The improvements have been kept up and others have
been added until the farm is one of the best of the neighborhood.
Mr. Bump celebrated Christmas day of 1901 by his marriage to Miss
Pinkie L. Birdsell, whose mother is still living upon the old homestead in
this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bump are both well known in this locality, where
their entire lives have been passed and many of their friends of the present
day were also friends of their childhood. He has been a member of the
Knights of Pythias lodge of Morrison for about twelve years.
PHILIP S. KIRK.
Philip S. Kirk, who for a. long period was engaged in the practice of
dentistry in Morrison but is now living retired in Fulton, was born in Warren
county, Virginia, August 8, 1857, his parents being Philip and Mary E,
(Wines) Kirk. The father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in
Virginia and both were representatives of families established in this country
at an early day. Philip Kirk, ST., devoted his life to merchandising, dealing
largely in shoes in the town of Front Royal, Virginia. Following the Civil
war, he removed in 1869 to Darlington, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where
he continued in business as a shoe merchant for three years. In 1872 he
came to Illinois, settling at Mount Carroll, where he conducted a shoe store
up to the time of his death in 1876. He had for two years survived his
wife and left a family of four children: William H., now residing in Den-
ver, Colorado; Philip S., of this review; Lucy, who died in Washington, D. C.,
in 1879; and Walter B., who died in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1903. The
father served as a private in the Confederate army, being at the front during
almost the entire period of the Civil war. He participated in many hotly
contested battles, including the engagements of the Wilderness, Antietam,
Gettysburg, and many others.
Philip S. Kirk, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education
in the country schools of Wisconsin and Illinois and having arrived at years
of maturity he determined upon a professional course as a life work and at
the age of twenty-two years took up the study of dentistry under the preceptor-
ship of Dr. F. B. Johnson, of Morrison, Illinois, to which city Mr. Kirk had
removed in that year. He was in Dr. Johnson's office for three years and then
.engaged in practice on his own account. Throughout his entire business
career he was connected with the profession and gained a high degree of skill
and proficiency in this line.
On the 31st of January, 1883, Dr. Kirk was married to Miss Clara E.
Bu.h. of Carroll county, Illinois, a daughter of Jabez S. and Alma (Esty)
Bush, who were early settlers of Carroll county. There Mr. Bush died in
November, 1885, leaving a widow and four children, namely: Mrs. Kirk;
Ira E., who resides in Ontonagon county, Michigan ; Albert D., of Mount Car-
roll, Illinois ; and Nellie A., the wife of J. V. Stapleton, of Morrison.
Following his marriage in 1883, Dr. Kirk removed to Shullsburg, Wis-
consin, where he opened an office for the practice of dentistry. He remained
810 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
there for seven years, when in order to still further perfect himself in his
chosen calling he matriculated in the dental department of what was then
the American College but is now the dental department of the Northwestern
University of Chicago. He was graduated therefrom in 1890, after which he
returned to Shullsburg and resumed practice there. He continued at that
point until 1892, when he removed to Morrison, where he practiced until
1905. In 1897 he had pursued a post-graduate course in the Northwestern
Dental School. While in active practice he always kept in touch with the
advancement of the profession, acquainting himself with all the latest im-
provements, not only in methods of practice but also in the materials and in-
struments used. The work which he did was universally satisfactory and a
liberal patronage was accorded him, so that as the years passed he acquired ;i
handsome competence. In 1905 he retired to private life and in 1907 removed
from Morrison to Fulton, where he had purchased a home that is one of the
most beautiful residences in the city, a comfortable and attractive dwelling,
being surrounded by a well kept lawn, adorned with many fine trees and
shrubs. Here he expects to spend his remaining days, enjoying the com-
forts of life that his former labor and skill have provided.
Dr. Kirk is a member of Dunlap Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M., of Mor-
rison: of Grove Lodge, No. 257, I. 0. 0. F., of Morrison; and of Primrose
Chapter, No. 363, O. E. S. He has filled all of the chairs in both the Masonic
and Odd Fellows lodges and is in thorough sympathy with the principles up-
on which these orders are based. He takes no very active interest in politics,
although he has served as a member of the board* of aldermen of Morrison for
one term and always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the
day. His advancement in his chosen field of labor was attributable entirely to
his close application, his native skill and his acquired ability. He always
held high ideals in his professional work and as the years passed gained well
merited success.
SAMUEL ALBERTSON.
Samuel Albertson, who is now living retired in Sterling, was for many
years closely associated with the agricultural interests of Whiteside county
and in the capable control of his business affairs, his unfaltering diligence
and his unflagging enterprise, lies the secret of the success to which he at-
tained. He was born in the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, New York,
January 18, 1818, his parents being Joseph and Elizabeth (Ham) Albertson,
likewise natives of the Empire state. Of their family of thirteen children
the subject of this review is the only one who survives. The father was a
farmer and in 1832 removed from Dutchess county to Monroe county, New
York, settling in the vicinity of Rochester, where he lived for about ten
years. There he passed away in 1842 at the age of sixty-eight years. His
wife survived him for a considerable period and died at the age of eighty-
four. They were consistent and faithful members of the Society of Friends,
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 813
their lives being in harmony with the teachings of that sect, and Mr. Albert-
son was a minister of the faith and built up the society in his home com-
munity.
In tracing back the ancestral history of Mr. Albertson it is found that
his grandfather, Isaac Albertson, also a native of New York, was a farmer and
mechanic there. He wedded Mary Cheesman and died in 1817 in middle
life, while his wife survived until about 1826. They were parents of five
sons. The family comes .originally from Holland Dutch ancestry. The
maternal grandfather of Samuel Albertson was Frederick Ham, a native of
the state of New York and of German descent. He was a farmer, providing
for a large family, consisting of his wife, Mrs. Mary Ham, a number of
daughters and one son, through his work as a tiller of the soil.
When a youth of fourteen years Samuel Albertson accompanied his
parents on their removal to western New York, the journey to Monroe county,
that state, being made before the era of railroad building. He was reared
to manhood in Monroe county and acquired a common-school education in
the early schools of the neighborhood. He was reared to farm life, early
becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist, and throughout his business career he made the cultivation of
the fields his principal occupation. The opportunities of the growing west
attracted him and in 1841 he came to Sterling. He had two brothers, Isaac
and John Albertson, twins, who had preceded him, arriving in 1835. Each
took up a claim to a half section of land and improved part of it, but the
work of Isaac Albertson was cut short by death in 1845. His brother John,
however, survived until 1872.
On reaching Illinois, Samuel Albertson purchased eighty acres from
his brother John and also eight acres of timber land. With characteristic
energy he began to improve his farm and made his home thereon for ten
years. He then sold the property and bought two hundred acres which had
formerly belonged to his brother Isaac. He still lives upon this place, but
has sold all but fifty acres. For a long period he carried on the work of
cultivating the fields and harvesting the crops, but at length turned his atten-
tion to utilizing what is known as the Woodlawn Spring for commercial
purposes. It was found that the waters of this spring were good for stomach
trouble and rheumatism and proved beneficial when used for baths. For
about twenty years Mr. Albertson then conducted a sanitarium, which was
patronized by people from many states. At the age of eighty years, however,
he sold the springs and has since lived retired upon the farm in the enjoy-
ment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits.
It was on the 5ih of November, 1839, that Samuel Albertson was mar-
ried to Miss Hannah DeGarmo, a daughter of Elias and Clemmie (Powell)
DeGarmo. They became the parents of two daughters and a son. Harriet,
the eldest, is the wife of Owen N. Hurst, residing near Salina, Kansas.
Arthur died at the age of twenty-four years as the result of being thrown
from a horse. Ella is the deceased wife of John E. Woodyatt and they had
three children: Arthur, who married Edna Kelsey, and they have two
children, Dorothy and Albert; Grace, the wife of Harry Hoover, of Sterling
814 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
township, by whom she has one son, Russell; and Lulu May, the wife of
Roy R. Baer, a resident of Sterling, by whom she has two children, Donald
and Luella. Mr. and Mrs. Owen N. Hurst had twins, Anna and a son. The
former married Charles Kerr and they have nine or ten children.
In 1902 Mr. Albertson was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife,
who died on the 10th of June of that year when nearly eighty-three years of
age. She belonged to the Society of Friends, while Mr. Albertson is a Spirit-
ualist. Politically he has always been independent. In community affairs
he has taken a deep and helpful interest, aiding in organizing the schools
and serving for many years as school director. He has also been highway
commissioner and was treasurer of the board, helping to put up the first
steel bridge that was built in the county, across the Elkhorn near the Pen-
nington farm. He has been a resident of Whiteside county for sixty-six
years and has witnessed its development from a wilderness to its present state
of progress. His life in many of its phases has commanded for him the
unqualified confidence and respect of his fellowmen, and he is justly ac-
counted one of Whiteside county's worthy citizens, his history proving an
important chapter in its annals.
LEWIS REITZEL.
Lewis Reitzel, a substantial business man of Sterling, conducting a flour
and feed store and also operating a mill for grinding, was born near Cham-
bersburg, Pennsylvania, at Rock Spring Mill. January 1, 1865. His paternal
grandfather, Henry Reitzel, also a native of .Pennsylvania, lived in Lancaster
county and was a miller by trade. He died there at an advanced age, having
for some years survived his wife. The family numbered eight children. The
original American ancestors came from Switzerland, settling in Pennsylvania
at an early period in the colonization of the new world.
Jacob Reitzel, father of Lewis Reitzel, was born in the Keystone state and
was reared upon the farm but became a miller. The year 1865 witnessed his
arrival in Whiteside county, Illinois, after which he followed farming in
Hopkins township, and later bought a farm in Sterling township, north of the
city of Sterling, owning and cultivating eighty acres there. After his chil-
dren had reached adult age he sold that property and bought a small farm
in the same township, upon which he made his home until his death. He
died in February, 1899, while his wife passed away in December of the same
year. They were Mennonites in religious faith. Mrs. Reitzel bore the maiden
name of Susan Rutt, and was also a native of Pennsylvania, as were her par-
ents. Her father, a farmer by occupation, died in that state at an advanced age
and his wife had reached a ripe old age when called to her final rest. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Reitzel were born nine children, four sons and five daughters:
Martha, deceased; Mary Ann, the wife of Noah S. Loux, of Sterling; Sabina.
the wife of Abram L. Brubaker. of this city; Susan, the wife of Christian E.
Goshert; Henry R: : Abram R. ; Sarah, the wife of Philip Nice; Jacob R. ; and
Lewis.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 815
The last named was but eight weeks old when the parents brought their
family to Whiteside county and here he was reared to manhood upon the
home farm. He attended the district schools and the Sterling Business Col-
lege, and in the interval between the two courses of study he learned the
miller's trade. After completing his commercial course he bought the flour
and feed store which he has conducted continuously and successfully since
December, 1888. At that time his location was a small frame building but
he has since erected a large brick business block and put in a mill where he does
grinding in connection with selling. For twenty years a business man of
Sterling, he has made an excellent record in trade circles for reliability as well
as enterprise and has proven that success and an honorable name may be won
simultaneously.
On the 27th of May, 1891, Mr. Reitzel was married to Miss May Sigler,
a daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Wink) Sigler, who were natives of
Pennsylvania. The mother came west with her parents when a maiden of
eight years and settled in Linn county, Iowa, where she was reared to woman-
hood and married. Mr. Sigler had arrived in the middle west when twenty-
one years of age, taking up his abode in Bureau county, Illinois, and at the
outbreak of the Civil war he put aside business and personal considerations,
enlisted in defense of the Union, at Galva, on the 28th of May, 1861, as a
member of Company D, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving for
three years with that company and was honorably discharged on the 4th of
June, 1864. He then re-enlisted on the 17th of September, 1864, as a
member of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, and was honorably discharged July 8, 1865, with the rank of second
lieutenant. After the war he went to Lisbon, Iowa, where he lived until 1871,
when he came to Sterling and for two years' worked at the harnessmaker's-
trade. He afterward became an employe in the McCune pump factory, where
he remained for twelve years, after which he capably and faithfully served for
sixteen years as janitor of the Sterling school. In the month which witnessed
his return from the war Mr. Sigler was married to Miss Catharine Wink, who
died in 1884, at the age of thirty-seven years. He long survived her, passing
away in May, 1906, at the age of sixty-seven years. He had served as captain
of the fire department of Sterling for twelve and a half years and was one of
the best known and most highly esteemed citizens here. His nature was
kindly and genial, and the children as well as the older people were his friends.
He was one of a family of thirteen children, seven of whom are living, and his
parents died in Pennsylvania when well advanced in years. His wife was a
daughter of Samuel and Theresa (Goodman) Wink, of Reading, Pennsylva-
nia, who died in Iowa at an advanced age. They had two children : Catha-
rine, who became Mrs. Sigler; and Emma, who is still living.
Throughout the period of their married life Mr. and Mrs. Reitzel have
lived in Sterling. They are active and faithful members of St. John's Luth-
eran church and for eight years Mr. Reitzel served as one of its deacons, while
for twenty years Mrs. Reitzel has been a teacher in the primary department in
the Sunday school. His political allegiance is given to the republican party
but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as
816 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
he has always preferred to give his undivided attention to his business interests.
There has been no esoteric phase in his career; on the contrary his entire rec-
ord is as an open book which all may read. Through two decades he has been
associated with the industrial and commercial interests of Sterling and his
name has become a synonym for reliable dealing in this city.
JAMES POLK HOPKINS.
Among the younger and more enterprising farmers of Hopkins town-
ship, is numbered James Polk Hopkins, a representative of one of the hon-
ored pioneer families of Illinois. He was born October 11, 1881, his parents
being James Polk and Asenath (Lament) Hopkins, the former a native of
Whiteside county, and the latter of Toronto, Canada. Jason Hopkins, the
paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Nashville, Tennessee,
born June 27, 1899. He resided in his native city until he had reached mid-
dle age, when he came to Illinois because of the anti-slavery principles which
he entertained, settling at Belleville, this state. He afterward removed to .
Peoria and at a later date became a resident of Whiteside county. He served
as a soldier of the Black Hawk war, becoming a volunteer in a cavalry regi-
ment, in which he was appointed quartermaster, holding that position through-
out the continuance of hostilities that led to the subjugation of the fed race and
caused their removal from this section of the country to districts farther west.
At the close of the war, in the autumn of 1832, as the troops were returning
to their homes, Mr. Hopkins, with others, came to the Rock river, and in coast-
ing along its banks reached the present site of the village of Como. Being
impressed with the beauty of the place he made a claim, covering the entire
tract known in pioneer parlance as a jack knife claim, by cutting his name
in the bark of the trees, showing the boundary of his line. Mr. Hopkins
always regarded this location as beautiful as the garden of Eden. It has,
indeed, much natural attraction of a scenic character, while the resources of
the farm were many because of the richness and productiveness of the soil.
He was married in Peoria, Illinois, to Miss Elenora Johnson, who was born
December 29, 1801, near Bowling Green, Kentucky. With his bride he re-
turned to Whiteside county in 1835 and surveyed the claim, establishing
the boundaries by marking trees in the timber and running furrows across
the prairie with the plow and ox team. When the land came into market
he purchased his claim, comprising sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, Hopkins town-
ship, and also some land adjoining, making in all about thirty-two hundred
acres. He built the first log cabin in the township which bears his name,
and thus planted the seeds of civilization in a region hitherto the domain
of the savage. He possessed many sterling traits of character, was a man
of firm purpose, unswerving integrity and loyalty and of unfaltering patriot-
ism. He was an intimate acquaintance and a great admirer of General Jack-
son. In the community where he lived he became an influential factor. He
was well fitted to cope with the conditions of pioneer life and in laboring for
his community looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibili-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 817
ties of the future and builded for later days as well as for his own time.
He died August 19, 1853, and thus passed away one who had been instrumental
in laying the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the county.
The work that he did in reclaiming this wild region will always be remem-
bered, inasmuch as the township in which he first settled bears his name-^-an
honor that he well merited. His wife passed away May 13, 1858, having
survived him for about five years. Their children were William T., Helen,
Francis and James P. The first named was the first white male child born in
Whiteside county, and his death occurred about 1862.
James P. Hopkins, father of our subject, was the youngest son of Jason
Hopkins and was born upon the old homestead claim in Hopkins township,
October 4, 1843. He was but ten years of age when his father died. He has
lived all his life at Como, with the exception of the time which he spent in
military service of his country. His patriotic spirit aroused, he responded
to the call of the Union and enlisted on the 2d of September, 1862, in the
Seventy-fifth regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He continued in the service
throughout the war, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. He par-
ticipated in the battles of Atlanta, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Lookout
Mountain and various others, which contributed to the result that finally
crowned the Union arms. Although frequently in the thickest of the fight
he escaped without serious injury. On his return to his home he resumed his
former occupation of farming, and in the community was recognized as a
citizen of value and public spirit. He was devoted to the principles of the
republican party, which stood as the defense of the federal government in
the dark days of the Civil war, and which has always been the party of re-
form, progress and improvement. He was always active in support of the
schools and of other local interests calculated to prove of public benefit. On
the 30th of November, 1869, at Atkinson, Henry county, Illinois, he was
married to Miss Asenath H. Lament, a daughter of Donald and Mary (Lloyd)
Lamont. Her father was born in Scotland and her mother in Canada. They
were married in the Dominion, where they resided for a short time before
coming to Illinois in 1865, at which time they took up their abode in Hop-
kins township, Whiteside county. Their children were Asenath H., Flora
A., John, Jesse L., Susanna, Elizabeth J., Charity, Washington M., Emily I.
and Martha I. Mi's. Hopkins was born November 2, 1842, and by her mar-
riage became the mother of five children, Elnora M., Jessie L., Anna F. r
Eunice B. and James P., Jr.
The last named resides upon the old homestead and is one of the ener-
getic, aggressive young farmers of the county. In addition to tilling the soil
in the production of the crops best adapted to climatic conditions here, he
also makes a specialty of the raising of Poland China hogs, and likewise
handles a good many horses. The house which stands here was erected many
years ago, and is one of the old landmarks of the county. It is finished in
black walnut, and also some butternut wood woods which are today almost
priceless. The farm is well cultivated, is neat and thrifty in its appearance
in every department, and indicates the careful supervision and practical
methods of the owner.
818 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
James P. Hopkins of this review is a member of the Fraternal Life, as-
sociated with Gait Lodge, No. 135. He votes the republican ticket, and
though keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, has
never sought office as a reward for party fealty. His mother resides with
him and is an interesting and beautiful character. Their home, although
one of the old residences of the county, has been well preserved during all
these years and is a comfortable dwelling. The name of Hopkins has, from
pioneer times, been an honored one in this section of the state. The work
begun by the grandfather and carried on by the father is now being con-
tinued by the son, who is justly classed with the representative agriculturists
.and reliable business men of his community.
HON. JOHN G. PRICE.
The life of John G. Price has been largely devoted to the public service,
.and he has made an excellent record as a valiant soldier, as an able lawyer
and as one who, in connection with the military posts of the country, has
ver enjoyed the good will and confidence of the boys in blue. Moreover, in
the Arkansas legislature he stood for wise laws, looking beyond the exigen-
cies of the moment to the possibilities, needs and opportunities of the future.
He was born in Fairfield, Franklin county, Indiana, December 8, 1831,
his parents being Andrew B. and Abigail B. (Mann) Price, natives of Ohio
and Kentucky, respectively. The Price family comes of Welsh lineage. The
paternal grandfather, John Price, was a native of Kentucky and made his
home for some years in Hart county. He died in 1868, having for some
years survived his "wife. Their only child was Andrew B. Price, who was
born in Ohio and became a physician and surgeon, completing a course in
the Cincinnati Medical College by graduation about 1821. He entered upon
the active practice of his profession in Ohio, living in Dayton and other
cities of that state. He was also located at different times in Indiana and
Kentucky and was recognized as an able representative of his profession,
his life proving of valued service to his fellowmen in this regard. He was
also prominent in political circles, was a member of the Indiana legislature
for several terms and also represented his district in the senate. He gave care-
ful consideration to the questions which came up for settlement and left the
impress of his individuality and keen political foresight upon the legislative
history of the state. In early manhood he wedded Abigail B. Mann, whose
father lived in Kentucky and in Indiana. She was one of a family of three
daughters and one son, and her death occurred in 1846. Mr. Price long sur-
vived his wife, passing away at Hebron, Porter county, Indiana, in 1873. at
the age of seventy-three years. He was a consistent member of the Baptist
church and a man of high ideals whose life was faultless in honor, fearless
in conduct and stainless in reputation.
John G. Price, the eldest in a family of four sons and two daughters,
and now the only surviving member of the family, spent his early boyhood
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 819
in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and after the removal of the family to Center-
ville, Ohio, began his education there. Subsequently he was a student in the
academy at Laporte. Indiana, and in 1848 he martriculated in Wabash Col-
lege, from which he was graduated in 1852. He then removed to Valparaiso,
Indiana, but before leaving Crawfordsvillc studied law for four months under
the direction of General Lew Wallace.
From Valparaiso Mr. Price came to Sterling on the 4th of October, 1853,
and continued his law studies with Miles S. Henry, who was an uncle by
marriage. In 1858 he was admitted to the bar, the license being signed by
Judge Breese, who was a very celebrated jurist of Illinois, and he then formed
a partnership with his former preceptor, Mr. Henry. During the following
year Fred Sacket was admitted to a partnership, and the firm remained
Henry, Price & Sacket until our subject entered the army.
In 1861 Mr. Price went to the front as sutler for the Thirty-first Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, under command of General Kirk, and in the summer
of 1862 he raised Company H of the Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infan-
try, and was chosen its captain. With his command he went south, and the
first battle in which he participated was at Perryville, Kentucky, but in 1863
was obliged to resign on account of ill health. His clothing was pierced by
bullets and his hat suffered the same fate, yet he never sustained a wound.
He took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, La Verne and in a
number of skirmishes, and when mustered out returned to Sterling, where he
remained until June, 1865.
At that date Mr. Price removed to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was
engaged in the practice of law until 1868, or until the passage of the recon-
struction act. He was secretary of that constitutional convention of which
General Thomas M. Bowen was president. About this time he became editor
of a daily paper called the Little Rock Dispatch, which afterward became the
Little Rock Daily Republican. While thus engaged in journalistic labor
Mr. Price was nominated, without his knowledge, as a candidate for repre-
sentative in the Arkansas legislature, and such was his personal popularity
and the confidence reposed in him that he was elected by a majority of five
thousand and was made speaker of the house in the sessions of 1868 and 1869.
During this period Mr. Price continued as editor and owner of the paper, and
was thus identified with journalism in Arkansas until 1874. During that
year he was made pension agent of Arkansas and Indian Territory, serving
about one year.
After that time the Thirteenth United States Infantry was stationed at
Little Rock, and in the summer of 1880 was transferred to Fort Lewis, Colo-
rado, to protect the settlers against the Indians. Mr. Price was then appointed
post trader there by the secretary of war, and filled that position until 1890,
or until the disbandment of the post. In 1888 he was elected to the Colo-
rado legislature and served for one term of two years. While acting as post
trader he had purchased a four hundred acre ranch, and in addition to the
t-ultivation of the land he engaged in breeding mid raising fine cattle the
Cruikshank strain of Durhams. In 1890 he removed to Durango, Colorado,
where he lived until 1892, and there began the practice of law, continuing
820 HISTORY OF WH1TESIDE COUNTY
at that town until 1907, when he returned to Sterling to spend the winter,
having closed out all of his interests in Colorado.
On the 14th of September, 1869, Mr. Price was married, in Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary B. Smith, a daughter of S. Lehman Smith
and Hester Syng (Barnes) Smith. They had one daughter, Annie Knight
Price. The mother, who was a faithful and consistent member of the Epis-
copal church, died March 14, 1893. The daughter is the wife of Percy Lee
Richtmyer and they reside in Chicago.
Mr. Price was made a Mason in Sterling in 1856, and the following year
took the Royal Arch degrees, since which time he has twice served as high
priest of the chapter, and has held offices in the lodge. He also belongs to
McPherson Post, G. A. R., at Little Rock, Arkansas. While living in Ster-
ling many years ago he filled the office of city attorney for two terms and was
also mayor for one term. His political allegiance was given to the republican
party for many years, and in fact he continued with that party until 1898,
when he withdrew and became a Bryan democrat. He is now living retired,
makins; his home in Sterling, to which city he came in an early day more
than a half century ago.
JACOB GARWICK.
The history of Clyde township would be incomplete without the record of
Jacob Garwick, a man whom to know was to respect, because his life was
active, useful and honorable. He started out for himself empty-handed and
for many years struggled earnestly to gain a substantial position in the busi-
ness world. The methods which he followed were ever honorable and upright
and thus in his death, which occurred October 21, 1895, Whiteside county
lost a valued citizen. He is well remembered as a progressive farmer living
on section 2, Clyde township, and also as a minister. That his business inter-
ests were capably managed is indicated by the fact that he left a valuable
estate of three hundred acres lying partly in Carroll county and still carried
on by his widow.
The birth of Jacob Garwick occurred December 13, 1834, in Alsace,
which was then a province of France, but has since reverted to Germany, the
original owner. His father, Jacob Garwick, Sr., was also a native of that
province and was of German parentage. In that country he learned and
followed the miller's trade. In early manhood he wedded Magdalene Wolff,
who was of French and Swiss lineage. Both of her grandsires came to Amer-
ica during the progress of the Revolutionary war under the command of
General LaFayette and served on his corps of officers. Several other male
relatives were among the French soldiery who came to assist the colonies in
their struggle for independence. Jacob Garwick, Sr., came to the United
States with his wife and children in 1853 and located upon a farm in Butler
county, Pennsylvania. His son Jacob was the eldest of his children and left
his native province in November, 1852, arriving in Pennsylvania a year prior
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 823
to his parents. In his native country he had been liberally educated in the
German and French languages and for some time acted as an assistant teacher
in the schools where he had been a student. He spent three months on
shipboard on his way to America, not knowing a single soul on the vessel.
The entire period was one of storm and peril, the food supply became ex-
hausted and distress signals were flown from the masthead three successive
days before their condition was discovered. They then anchored near an
island in the South sea belonging to Portugal and secured sufficient supplies
to enable them to proceed on their voyage. At length, however, the long trip
was ended and Mr. Garwick landed safely in the new world. Here he made
preparation for a home for his parents and when he saw them comfortably
settled he started for Illinois. When he reached Chicago he had not enough
money to pay for his breakfast, but he succeeded in making his way to friends
in Dupage county, where he obtained aid and employment. In 1854 he
located in Clyde township, Whiteside county, and three years later his father's
family followed him to Illinois and took up their abode upon a farm at Fair
Haven, Carroll county. There the father died in June, 1878, while the
mother survived until May, 1884.
After coming to Illinois Jacob Garwick, of this review, worked as a
general laborer, but while in Pennsylvania he followed the miller's trade,
which he had learned under the direction of his father in his native country.
His life to the age of twenty-seven years was one of continual hardship and
toil, but he possessed strong determination and unfaltering courage and grad-
ually worked his way upward. After his arrival in Whiteside county he be-
came a farm hand and was thus employed until he could make arrangement
to purchase land and engaged in farming on his own account.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Garwick chose Miss
Sarah Zook, whom he wedded in Clyde township on the 27th of February,
1861. Her parents, Abraham and Anna (Gsell) Zook, were natives of Lan-
caster county, Pennsylvania, and of Swiss and German descent. Their an-
cestors settled in America about the time of the colonial struggle for inde-
pendence. Mr. and Mrs. Zook were farming people and were married in
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, their daughter Sarah being there born 'on
the 19th of January, 1843. She was one of a family of eight children and
accompanied her parents to Illinois when she was thirteen years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Garwick first settled in Newton township, Whiteside county,
and two years later removed to Clyde township, establishing their home on the
farm where Mrs. Garwick has since remained, now owning three hundred and
fifty-five acres of land. Of the children born unto them the six who still sur-
vive are as follows: George E., the eldest, who now follows farming near
Garden Plain, this county, acquired a college education and married a daugh-
ter of Henry Brubaker. They have three children Floyd, Florence and
Eber. Anna Garwick is the wife of William Geesey, and resides at home.
They, too, have three living children Hattie, Jacob and Ethel and they
lost one child, Lucille, at the age of four years. Sarah Garwick became the
wife of Martin Hanna, of Carroll county, and has two children Paul and
824 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Lenora. Lizzie is the wife of Charles Dial, of Carroll county, and they have
one adopted child, Charles. Dora is the wife of J. 0. Elwing, a resident of
West Union, Iowa, and has one son, Lillo. Katie is the wife of Dr. Cecil R.
Rogers, an osteopathic practitioner of New York city. Of the children who
have passed away Edith Esther, born November 25, 1885, died at the age of
eight years and eight days. William H. died at the age of fifteen years, and
Abraham and Lena died at the age of five and three years, respectively.
When Mr. and Mrs. Garwick came to what is now the old home farm
he invested twenty-five dollars, his entire capital, in the property, and made
arrangements for future payments. Soon, as the result of his earnest and
unremitting labor, he was enabled to discharge his financial obligations and
had his seventy-acre tract of land free from debt. He then added to the place
from time to time until at his -demise he had a splendid tract of land of three
hundred acres, richly improved, in the midst of which he had erected a
beautiful residence. He also provided ample shelter for grain and stock and
his farm was one of the best improved of the locality. He was also largely
interested in the raising of high-grade cattle, making a specialty of short-
horns. His entire acreage was wholly unbroken at the date of purchase and
the splendid appearance of his place represented years of earnest labor and
unfaltering diligence. He won his success by the most honorable methods
and his entire life was in harmony with the principles of Christian religion.
He was for some time a local minister of the Evangelical church, but later
united with the Brethren in Christ church. He lived peaceably with his
fellowmen and his life was in many respects an example well worthy of emu-
lation. He was faithful in friendship and devoted to the welfare of his fam-
ily, and thus his death brought great sadness to the community in which he
so long resided. Mrs. Garwick still survives her husband and resides upon
the old home farm, giving to it her personal supervision. She, too, has many
friends in the community and is well known here.
MARTHA A. JOHN.
"Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world
through us is the measure of our success" and judged by this standard the life
of Martha A. John has been a most successful one. She is now living on a
farm on section 23, Jordan township, which is the old family homestead,
but for- many years she was closely associated with the educational history of
the county and did much to develop the school interests and to promote the
intellectual advancement of the communities in which she was employed.
She always held to high ideals in her school work, was constantly endeavoring
to raise the standard of education and there, are today many in the county
who acknowledge their indebtedness to her for her intellectual training and
her uplifting influence.
She was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 11,
1830, a daughter of Elida and Sarah (Hughes) John, who were also natives of
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 825
the Keystone state. Her father came to Illinois at an advanced age and after-
ward lived practically retired yet never ceased to feel a deep interest in the
world's progress, in the affairs of government and in all those questions affect-
ing the interests of the individual and the country at large. He was a man firm
and fearless in support of his honest convictions. Born in 1805, his school priv-
ileges were meager but he was ambitious for intellectual advancement and used
every opportunity for mental training and discipline. He became in the course
of years a well informed man, recognized in every community in which he
lived as a citizen of intelligence and solid worth. When still quite young he
became a teacher and following his marriage followed that profession, at one
time conducting a school in a part of his residence. He was careful that
from their infancy his own children should be taught and his wife shared
with him in his ambitions for their educational progress. When the free
school system was established in Pennsylvania he was elected a member of the
first board of school directors in Shamokin township, Northumberland county,
and with the other members of the board labored faithfully and untiringly to
divide the large wooded, hilly township into suitable districts and to supply
each with a competent teacher. He also inspected the building of many
schoolhouses erected at that time and for years he frequently visited the
schools, speaking words of encouragement to teachers and pupils, arousing
their ambition toward greater accomplishments in the line of mental acquire-
ment and reminding the children especially that they were then enjoying
privileges richer than their parents ever enjoyed. Scores of young people
listened as they had never done to his kind and earnest persuasions to receive
wisely the blessings waiting to crown their lives.
For about twenty years Elida John followed the occupation of a surveyor
and conveyancer in Northumberland, Columbia, Montour and Schuylkill
counties, Pennsylvania, carrying compass, chain and leveling staff through
unbroken forests and over rocky mountains and penetrating into some of
the most valuable anthracite coal fields in the state. His reputation for ac-
curacy in surveys became such that he was often summoned to go long dis-
tances to survey disputed lines, and his evidence in the courts of justice set-
tled many disputes. He was often called upon to administer estates, such
was his well known justice and honor. In this work it was frequently in-
cumbent upon him to be the arbiter between man and man, and this occa-
sionally brought him into competition with able lawyers, but assisted by a keen
insight and an unswerving sense of justice, he was on many occasions enabled
to save property to the widow and orphan.
He early recognized the fruits of intemperance and became a stalwart
advocate of the temperance cause. It was a day when the whiskey jug was
found almost uniformly in the harvest fields, but he refused to furnish alco-
holic beverages to his workmen, paying them a higher price than was usu-
ally demanded. He found that this was good business policy as well, al-
though it was the moral element that prompted him in this course, but
sober harvest hands could do more than those who were partially intoxicated,
and in the long run his harvesting cost no more than if he had furnished
whiskey and paid a lower rate of wages. W T hen he was a member of the
826 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
board of school directors he was the only one who strongly favored the tem-
perance movement, and in fact one of his co-members was a distiller. When
the schoolhouse was being erected this man offered a resolution that no tem-
perance nor abolition meetings should be held in the schoolhouses, which
in that day were about the only place in which public meetings could be held.
The question therefore was one of vital concern to any mind interested in the
public welfare. Mr. John recognized the fact that he was in the minority
upon the temperance question, but his keen sagacity enabled him to solve
the problem by amending the resolution, so as to exclude singing schools, a
pastime which nearly all of the school board greatly enjoyed. Not wishing
to bar out the singing schools the resolution was defeated when put to vote,
and thus the schoolhouses were left open to temperance, abolition and other
movements for the moral benefit of the community. At one of the district
meetings a man said to Elida John: "Mr. John, you temperance men make
a great fuss about a drink of whiskey, and yet if a distiller should offer you
a cent higher than the market for your grain you would sell it to him to
convert into whiskey." Before Mr. John could answer the distiller, who be-
longed to the board spoke up : "No, sir, Mr. John will not. He sold his corn
to Mr. - for more than any one else was getting, and then asked
where he should deliver it. He was requested to deliver it at my distillery.
Immediately he recalled the bargain at his own loss, and refused to deliver
the corn at all." All through his life of seventy-eight years, during which
time he handled much corn, he never sold one bushel to a distillery.
Mr. John was a most earnest, conscientious anti-slavery man and labored
untiringly to promote the interests of abolition prior to the war. Throughout
his long life he was actuated by the spirit of Christianity and each Sunday
was found at his place' in the house of prayer. He enjoyed the fullest re-
spect and confidence of his fellowmen, who entertained for him the warmest
friendship and the highest regard. Although he was fearless in his con-
victions, he was a man of ready sympathy and kindly spirit, and was always
ready to speak an encouraging word or do a good deed for another. He
contributed liberally of his means to the support of religion as a member of
the Society of Friends. Although he was an old man when he came to this
county, his business ability was recognized and his fine penmanship is seen
on public documents in the records of Jordan, as well as upon the registers
of his church.
His wife, who was ever his faithful companion and helpmate, and who
was closely associated with him in all the various interests which made up
his life's contacts and experiences, was born in 1802 of English and Welsh
parentage, and was the youngest child of Hugh and Mary Hughes. A farm
which is now the site of the enterprising borough of Kennet Square, Chester
county, Pennsylvania, was the first landed possession of her ancestors in the
new world. Her parents settled on the banks of Shamokin creek in North-
umberland county, Pennsylvania, about 1790, and her father was appointed to
the position of justice of the peace by the governor of the state, and ably and
impartially served in that capacity for many years. Mr. and Mrs. John
were reared in the same neighborhood, and were friends from early child-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 827
hood. Their* was the closest companionship a most ideal family relation.
Matters for position were always discussed by both, each listening to the
other with consideration, or speaking words of encouragement and sympathy.
Like her husband, Mrs. John was a most earnest Christian, loyal to the teach-
ings of her church and exemplifying her religious faith in her daily conduct
and her relations with all with whom she was brought in contact. She
passed away July 15, 1892, and her husband, May 1, 1883. at the age of
seventy-eight years.
In the family of this worthy and honored Christian couple there were
ten children : Palemon, Edwin, Martha A., Abia C., Hugh L., Ruth Anna,
Chalkley. Sarah E., George D., and Lydia E. Of this family Dr. Abia C.
John was the first physician to locate in the northeast part of the county, and
here he secured a large practice.
Miss Martha A. John, whose name introduces this record, spent her girl-
hood days at the family home in Pennsylvania. In 1855 she came to White-
side county as a private teacher in the family of Joseph M. Wilson. After a
year she returned east to Delaware, where she engaged in teaching school for
aboiit a year, when she again came to Whiteside county and resumed her old
position with the Wilson family. About 1859 her parents came to this county
and Miss John gave up her place as instructor in the Wilson family and lived
with them, but continued her educational work, remaining a teacher in the
neighborhood for about twenty years, a part of this time making her home
with her parents. She has devoted the greater part of her life to the training
and instruction of the young, and has exerted a widely felt and beneficial in-
fluence in educational circles as well as in her social relations. Beloved by
all who know her, her name is mentioned in deepest respect and kindly re-
gard. She has certainly done her life work well, and contributed her full
share toward the uplifting of mankind and making better the lives of others.
She and her brother Chalkley reside upon the old family homestead, which is
a farm of one hundred and eleven acres in Jordan township, from which they
derive a good income.
Chalkley John, living with his sister in Jordan township, has been
prominent, active and enterprising in his relations with public interests. He
is well known as a former representative of editorial interests, has made a
creditable record in official life and has been successful in carrying on gen-
eral agricultural pursuits. He was born October 10, 1839, in Shamokin town-
ship, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and spent the days of his boy-
hood and youth under the parental roof, his parents giving him excellent
opportunities for the acquirement of a good education. Strong in body and
ambitious in mind, he has made good use of his opportunities as the years
have gone by. Thinking to have better chances in the west, he left Penns-
sylvania and made his way to Illinois. On reaching Whiteside county he
found it largely an unbroken prairie district, in which the seeds bf civiliza-
tion and progress had scarcely been planted. He cast in his lot with the early
settlers and sought employment on the farm of one hundred and sixty
acres which his father had previously secured in Jordan township. He took
possession of his father's claim and began the work of improvement, which
828 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
he carried on diligently and persistently. Subsequently he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land on section 24, Jordan township,
in partnership with his brother, Hugh L. The latter erected necessary build-
ing?, and the brothers proceeded with the work of development and cultiva-
tion. The partnership was maintained for some time, but eventually Chalkley
John purchased his brother's interest.
On the 24th of August, 1875, occurred the marriage of Chalkley John
and Miss Anna Nixon. Unto them was born one son, Marius, whose birth oc-
curred February 15, 1877. Save for a brief period of a few years, Mr. John
has always resided upon the old family homestead, which he operated for his
aged mother. The place gives evidence of his careful supervision, practical
methods and unbending energy. He and his sister now live upon the farm
and his attention is concentrated upon its further improvement.
At different times, however, Mr. John has been connected with other
interests. In the '80s he was editor and manager of the Farm Gazette, pub-
lished at Sterling, and became the president of the Sterling Gazette Com-
pany. He held the office of road commissioner for four years, being elected
to the position in the spring of 1877, and on the expiration of his term of
service in that office, he was chosen supervisor, in which position he con-
tinued for a number of years. He was a director in the Northwestern Agri-
cultural Society, which holds its institutes in Sterling, and he is a member
of the Society of Friends. His activities have touched many lines, and all
have profited by his labors and wise counsel. The family name has been an
honored one in this county for more than a half century, and its present
representatives, Martha and Chalkley John, are numbered among the hon-
ored and respected people of this section of the state.
PORTER HARKNESS.
There have been some interesting and eventful chapters in the life of
Porter Harkness, who became one of the early settlers of this section of Illi-
nois, and also made the trip across the plains to Pike's Peak at a time when
there were no railroads and when civilization had penetrated little westward
beyond the immediate borders of the Mississippi river. He was born in
Springfield township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1830, and
was there reared upon a farm, under the parental roof. His parents were
Chester and Louisa (Smith) Harkness, natives of Massachusetts and Con-
necticut, respectively. They were reared in New England and with their
parents went to Pennsylvania, their marriage being celebrated in Bradford
county, where their remaining days were passed. Their son, Porter, was the
eldest in a family of three sons and three daughters. His brothers, Royal
and Oscar, were both soldiers of the Union army in the Civil war, Royal en-
listing from Dixon, Illinois, in the Thirty-fourth Illinois regiment of Volun-
teers, while Oscar was a member of the Pennsylvania Cavalry.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 829
In early life Porter Harkness became familiar with all the duties and
labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he worked in the fields and
cultivated the crops. He continued a resident of the east until twenty-five
years of age, when, leaving home, he made his way westward to Illinois in
1856. He located first in Ogle county, and for one summer cultivated a
rented farm there. He afterward went on a visit to Hancock county, and
subsequently crossed the plains to Pike's Peak with ox teams and six com-
panions. This was in 1859, and he made rt second trip in 1860. On one oc-
casion he saw an immense herd of buffaloes, the animals being so numerous
that they could be seen to the horizon line in every direction, and they caughfc
two of the buffalo calves after the herd had passed.
On the 9th of August, 1862, in response to the country's call for aid, he
joined the boys in blue, enlisting from LaSalle county, although he was liv-
ing in Marshall county at the time. He became a member of Company I,
One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Wadley.
All three of the brothers were soldiers of the Union army, and the military
record of the family is therefore most creditable. Porter Harkness partici-
pated in the battle of Chattanooga and in all of the engagements of the
Sherman campaign to Atlanta. He was wounded at Chickamauga in Sep-
tember, 1863, while serving under General Thomas, the third finger of his
left hand being shot off, and for about six months he was confined in the
hospital with his injury. .He afterward rejoined the army, and at the close
of the war participated in the grand review, the most celebrated military
pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere, when thousands of Union sol-
diers who had participated in the victories of the north passed in review be-
fore the stand on which stood the president and others high in authority in
national affairs.
The war over, Mr. Harkness returned to Marshall county, Illinois, where
he purchased a farm of eighty acres, upon which he lived for ten years. He
then sold that property and bought a farm of one hundred and forty acre^
in Woodford county. There he lived for twenty years, when he disposed of
that property, and in the fall of 1894 invested in a farm of two hundred and
twenty-one acres on section 7, Lyndon township. To this he added until he
now has three hundred and thirty-one acres of valuable fanning land. In
the spring of 1895 he removed to Chicago, where he remained for five years, .
leaving his farm in the care of his sons, William J. and Asa J., both of whom
reside upon the property and are operating the fields. There are two houses
upon the home place, one of which was built by Mr. Harkness of this review.
He also erected other buildings which afford -ample shelter for grain and
stock, and while residing upon the farm he was largely engaged in stock rais-
ing. He also conducted a dairy business, milking thirty cows at one time.
The farm is devoted to general agricultural pursuits and everything about the
place is in keeping with the spirit of modern progressive agriculture.
In May. 1868, Mr. Harkness was married to Miss Johanna Eichardson,
who was born in England and died May 20, 1884, at the age of forty^six years.
She had come to Illinois with her parents, Thomas and Rachel (Richardson)
Richardson, who had located in Marshall county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hark-
830 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ness were born four children : Chester Thomas, a resident of Trego county,
Kansas; William James and Asa Jay, who are operating their father's farm;
and Grace Estella, at home. The second son, William James, was married
December 24, 1902, to Grace L. Slade, a native of Pennsylvania, and unto
them has been born a daughter, Martha Ernestine. Mrs. William J. Hark-
ness was a daughter of Ephriam and May (Grace) Lewis, but was reared by
an aunt and went by her name. For his second wife Porter Harkness chose
Mrs. Martha E. Slade, whom he wedded in Chicago, September 21, 1893.
She had been an old schoolmate of his in Pennsylvania, and she died in Chi-
cago, January 9. 1900.
In politics Mr. Harkness was a stalwart republican from the time of the
organization of the party, and previously was a whig. He belongs to the
Baptist church at Sterling, and is also a valued member of the Grand Army
of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army com-
rades, with whom he did valued service in defense of the stars and stripes.
He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey and is
practically living retired, while his sons operate the farm. He, however, re-
sides on the old homestead on section 7, Lyndon township, and was formerly
numbered among the active and leading agriculturists of the community.
Since starting out in life on his own account in early manhood he had de-
pended entirely upon his own resources for his success, and whatever pros-
perity he has enjoyed is attributable to his earnest and persistent labors.
GEORGE E. PADDOCK.
The name and labors of George E. Paddock are inseparably interwoven
with the history of Prophetstown, especially in connection with its financial
history. He is today well known in banking circles in Whiteside county
and this part of the state as proprietor of the Bank of Prophetstown and
cashier of the Farmers' National Bank. Both institutions are under his
active management and their success is attributable to his thorough under-
standing of the business and capable management in its control.
Mr. Paddock, numbered among the native sons of New York, was born
in the town of Turin, Lewis county, March 28, 1849. He traces his ancestry
back to Robert Paddock, who was of English birth and the founder of the
family in America, settling in the Plymouth colony in 1634. Daniel Pad-
dock, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, was a member of the patriotic
army in the war for independence and was a native of New York. His son,
John Paddock, also born in the Empire state, became the father of Chauncey
Paddock, who was born and reared in Westernville, Oneida county. New
York. After arriving at years of maturity Chauncey Paddock was there
married to Miss Lucy M. Hotchkiss, a native of Mexico, New York, in which
state they began their domestic life, there residing until 1851, when they
became residents of Whiteside county, Illinois. The family home was estab-
lished on the Rock river near Prophetstown and the father secured a tract of
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 833
land, devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, pros-
perity attending his labors as the years passed by. He was for forty-three
years numbered among the worthy and valued citizens of his community
and on the 16th of November, 1894, was called from this life, his remains
being interred in the Prophetstown cemetery. His widow, still surviving
him, lives in Prophetstown, at the age of eighty-eight years.
George E. Paddock was but two years old when brought by his parents
to Whiteside county. His boyhood and youth were spent on the home farm
with his parents and he mastered the elementary branches of learning as a
public-school student in Prophetstown. Later he attended the Northern
Illinois College at Fulton and in 1870 went to California with the family,
spending one season on the Pacific slope. Following his return to Whiteside
county, Mr. Paddock engaged in farming until 1880, since which time he
has figured prominently in banking circles in Prophetstown. In that year
he was appointed cashier of the Mattson Bank and so continued until the
death of Mr. Mattson, when he succeeded to the business. It has been con-
ducted as a private bank since 1886, under the name of the Bank of Prophets-
town, and under the guidance of Mr. Paddock its patronage has increased
and the business has been extended in its scope. In 1892 he erected a good
two-story brick building on a corner of the main business street and the bank
of Prophetstown was there installed in January, 1893. Mr. Paddock, how-
ever, further extended his activities through the establishment of the Farm-
ers' National Bank, of Prophetstown, in 1902. In this enterprise he was
associated with Nathan Thompson, who is president, while Mr. Paddock has
from the beginning been cashier. He has the active management of both
banks. In 1902 he erected a business block, to which he removed the Bank
of Prophetstown in 1902, while the Farmers' National Bank continued busi-
ness at the old stand.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Paddock was married May 6,
1878, in Prophetstown, to Miss Ella M. Quigley, a native of Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, who in early life came with her family to this county and
completed her education in the schools of Prophetstown. Her father, George
B. Quigley, became one of the substantial farmers of this county and later
removed to the vicinity of Evansville, Indiana. He died, however, in Sep-
tember, 1907, in his eighty-fifth year. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Paddock have
been born four children: Hugh, who is cashier in the Bank of Prophets-
town; Jessie L., the wife of Oliver P. Petty, now assistant cashier of the
Farmers' National Bank ; Louis M., who died of typhoid fever at Hot Springs,
Arkansas, in September, 1902, at the age of twenty years; and Gladys, who
is now a senior in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois.
Mr. Paddock has not only figured prominently in business circles, but
has also been an active factor in the various concerns which have affected
the welfare and promoted the interests of his village. He is now school
treasurer of Prophetstown, which position he has filled for thirty years, and
the cause of public education finds in him a stalwart champion whose labors
are effective and far-reaching. He is now president of the village and at
other times has filled the same office while again he has been a member of
834 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
the village board. His public service is characterized by unfaltering devo-
tion to the general good and by practical methods which are productive of
gratifying results. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has
attained the Royal Arch degree, and also has membership relations with the
Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and his wife is a
devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are prominent
socially, having a circle of friends that is co-extensive with their acquaint-
ance. The life record of Mr. Paddock has been marked by orderly progres-
sion and in it there is not one esoteric phase. He is a man of strong indi-
viduality, of indomitable perseverance and indefatigable enterprise and has
carved his name deeply on the record of the. political and financial history of
Whiteside county, while the village of "his residence owes much of its ad-
vancement to his efforts.
RICHARD B. BURROUGHS.
Richard B. Burroughs dates his residence in Whiteside county from 1864,
and in the years which have since come and gone he has witnessed many
changes and at the same time has borne his part in the work of progress
and improvement, especially in agricultural lines. He now lives on section
33, Prophetstown township, where he owns a farm of eighty-five acres. He
was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, January 10, 1838, his parents
being Selali and Louisa Burroughs. The former was a native of the state
of New York, where he resided until after the death of his wife, when he
removed to Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years.
In 1864 he arrived in Whiteside county, Illinois, and purchased land in
Prophetstown township, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home,
for his death occurred the following year. He was twice married, and by the
first union there were four children, but Richard B. is the only one now liv-
ing. By his second marriage he had four children: Carlos, a resident of
Morrison. Illinois; Leonard H., living in Prophetstown; and two who have
passed away.
Richard B. Burroughs remained in the east during the period of his mi-
nority and acquired a public school education. He came to the middle west,
however, with his father, in 1864, and has since been a resident of White-
side county. He purchased the farm of eighty-five acres upon which he now
resides, and his time and energies, year after year, have been devoted to its
further development and cultivation, his fields bringing forth good crops,
while in all his business interests he has been actuated by laudable ambition,
while his labors have been guided by sound judgment.
Mr. Burroughs perfected his arrangements for having a home of his
own by his marriage in 1872 to Miss Martha Griswold, who was born in the
state of New York and was one of nine children. After a happy married
life of twenty years she passed away in 1892, leaving a husband and two
children to mourn her loss. The daughter, Liicy 'May, however, is now de-
ceased, while the son, Merton, is at home.
HISTOEY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 835
Mr. Burroughs exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the republican party, for he feels that its platform contains the
best elements of good government. He has held several township offices, to
which he has been called by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who recognize
him as a citizen of genuine worth. For a half century he has been a devoted
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his life is at all times hon-
orable and upright.
DANA B. SEGER, M. D.
Dr. Dana B. Seger, who has attained a gratifying measure of success
in the practice of medicine in Morrison, was born in Rumford, Maine, Janu-
ary 4, 1842. His father, Allen Seger, a native of Maine, was a son of Na-
thaniel Seger, who served in a Massachusetts regiment in the Revolutionary
war. The great-grandfather of Dr. Seger lived in Boston, but nothing is
definitely known concerning the establishment of the family in the new
world. Allen Seger was a farmer by occupation, and in 1852 came to the
middle wast, settling in Weatherstield township, Henry county, where he
continued farming until the fall of 1852, when he removed to Erie, White-
side county. Here he owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and
carried on general agricultural pursuits. He spent his remaining days here,
dying, in 1872, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a member of the
Christian church, and his life was ever upright and honorable. His political
allegiance was given to the republican party. His wife, Achsa Howard, was
born in Vermont, and was of English ancestry. Her father was Samuel
Howard, a son of a Revolutionary hero, who enlisted from Massachusetts for
service in the Continental army, serving as captain of his company. The
Howards three brothers- came to this country in 1636 and settled at Bos-
ton. Samuel Howard was a farmer and a carpenter and joiner. His daugh-
ter, Mrs. Seger, was also a member of the Christian church and a lady of many
excellent traits of character. In the family were three children : Mary E.
and Milton H., both deceased; and Dana B.
Dr. Seger was reared to farm life and attended the district and private
schools in the acquirement of his literary education. He afterward studied
medicine in the office of Dr. Samuel Taylor, in Erie and in Morrison, at
which time Dr. Taylor was in partnership with Dr. Z. C. Ferson. Mr.
Seger next entered the Rush Medical College, in 1865, and was graduated in
1868. He began practice at Erie, where he remained for fourteen years,
removing to Morrison in 1882, since which time he has successfully prosecuted
his profession here, becoming the family physician in many a household, a
liberal patronage being accorded him. As he has prospered in his undertak-
ings he has made judicious investment in property, and is now the owner of
lands in Iowa and Missouri.
Dr. Seger was married in 1873 to Miss Catherine Reynolds, now de-
ceased, who was born in Fenton township, a daughter of William and Ann
836 HISTORY OF' WHITESIDE COUNTY
"Reynolds, the father a pioneer carpenter of this county. Dr. and Mrs. Seger
had three children: Inez K., at home; Ivy L., the wife of Luther E. Ram-
say, an attorney-at-law of Morrison; and Ralph R., a student in the Illinois
University.
Dr. Seger has a creditable military record, for in his early manhood, when
he was but nineteen years of age, he enlisted for service in the Civil war,
joining the army at Chicago in November, 1861, as a member of Company
I, Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In May, 1862, he was discharged
on account of disability, but re-enlisted at Dixon, Illinois, in 1864, in Com-
pany K of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until
October 8, 1865. He was then mustered out at New Orleans. On the date
of his second enlistment he was detailed as hospital steward and served in that
capacity in the field until discharged. During his first enlistment he par-
ticipated in the battle of Fort Donelson.
He is now a member of Alpheus Clark Post, G. A. R., and he also be-
longs to the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Mod-
ern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given the republican
parly, and while not a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has held
some local offices. In the line of his profession he is connected with the
County, the State and American Medical Associations, and through the
interchange of thought and experience in those organizations, as well as by
private study and research, he keeps in touch with the advance made by the
profession, and thus continually promotes his efficiency. He discharges his
duties with a sense of conscientious obligation that makes him one of the able
members of the medical fraternity of Whiteside county.
CARL S. COE.
The various business interests which contribute to the sum total of Ster-
ling's commercial activity and enterprise find a worthy representative in Carl
S. Coe, a dealer in cigars, newspapers, magazines and periodicals, his place
of business being at No. 3 East Third street. He is one of the county's na-
tive sons, his birth having occurred on a farm north of Sterling, July 14, 1878.
His parents were Marcus Lafayette and Julia A. (Gait) Coe, of whom mention
is made elsewhere in this volume. Upon the home farm in Hopkins town-
ship he was reared, no event of special importance occurring to vary the
routine of farm life for him in his boyhood and youth. He mastered the
preliminary branches of English learning as a pupil in the district schools,
and afterward attended the public schools of Sterling. When not occupied
with his text-books his time and attention were given to the work of the
farm, and he was thus connected with agricultural interests until twenty yecirs
of age when, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he began clerk-
ing in the grocery store of W. H. Over & Company, with whom he remained
for several years. He then joined his father in a partnership in the grocery
business under the firm style of M. L. Coe & Son, which relation was main-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 837
tained up to the time of the father's death. Later Carl S. Coe was employed
as a salesman in the Bee Hive for three years, upon the expiration of which
period he bought his present cigar and news depot, and has since conducted
a large, constantly growing and profitable business.
On the 20th of May, 1904, Mr. Coe was married to Miss Harriet V. How-
land, a daughter of James H.. and Elizabeth H. Howland, who became early
settlers of Whiteside county, taking up their abode in Coloma township, where
Mr. Howland followed farming. He and his wife are now residents of Ster-
ling, and unto them were born two daughters and two sons, namely : Harry ;
Bert; Alice, the wife of W. J. Sowles; and Mrs. Harriet Coe. Unto our sub-
ject and his wife has been born a son, James Marcus Coe. The parents are
members of the Presbyterian church and the family residence is at No. 412
Avenue C.
In his political allegiance Mr. Coe is a republican, but while giving
hearty and loyal support to the party, he never seeks or desires public office,
preferring to concentrate" his energies upon his business affairs. In trade
circles he has been watchful of his opportunities, has utilized the advantages
which have come to him and is now enjoying creditable success derived from
the conduct of a constantly increasing business.
JOHN BOYD.
John Boyd has retired from active business life, although still residing
on his finely improved farm just south of Morrison. In a history of those
long and prominently connected with the county, he well deserves mention,
for he has been a resident here since July, 1850, being one of the few remain-
ing old settlers. He came directly from Scotland after a brief interval of a
week spent in Chicago, where he awaited his opportunity to secure a ride in
a lumber wagon to Dixon. The stage at that time made regular trips be-
tween Dixon and Fulton, and he reached the former city just too late to make
the stage trip and so hired a man to bring him to Whiteside county. He has
since made six trips back to Scotland, but while having the warmest attach-
ment for the land of his birth, he is equally sincere and loyal in his devo-
tion to the land of his adoption, and has the utmost love for the stars and
stripes.
Mr. Boyd was born in Ayrshire, in the parish of Dairy, twenty miles
south of Glasgow, September 1, 1826, and was there reared to manhood, a
son of William and Mary (Robinson) Boyd. The reports which he heard
concerning America and the advantage which she offered to her people, in-
duced him to try his fortune in the new world. He arrived with a capital
of about ninety dollars, which has since been increased many hundredfold,
for in his undertakings he has been very successful, and as the years have
passed has acquired a handsome competence. He began farming on his own
account on what is now the old homestead, in Mount Pleasant township, just
east of his present home. For six years after his arrival he worked for others
838 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
at threshing and in different departments of farm labor. He early formed
the resolve that he would ever be straightforward and honest in his business
dealings, and this course he has resolutely pursued, with the result that his is
an unsullied name, and in business circles his word is recognized as being as
good as his bond. His first farm comprised one hundred and thirty acres
of land, but as opportunity offered, he added to his possessions from time to
time, until he owned over six hundred acres of land. Although he has since
disposed of a portion of this, he yet retains over three hundred acres of valu-
able farm property. As the years have passed he has prospered, conducting
large business dealings, yet has never had ^a lawsuit. He would prefer to
suffer a small loss rather than appear in the courts, but his own justice and
fair dealing have almost invariably secured him such treatment in return.
In February, 1857, in the land of hills and heather, Mr. Boyd was mar-
ried to Miss Isabella Archibald, who was also a native of the parish of Dairy,
and was there reared, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Easdale) Archibald.
For a half century they traveled life's journey happily together as man and
wife, and they were then separated by the hand of death, Mrs. Boyd passing
away on the 8th of March, 1907, at the age of eighty-two years. They had
met together many hardships and difficulties, had worked side by side for the
attainment of success and for the interests of their family, and as the years
passed their mutual love and confidence increased. Mrs. Boyd is most
lovingly remembered for her many deeds of kindness in the community, the
poor and needy finding in her a friend, while those in sorrow or distress re-
ceived her sure and warm sympathy.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boyd were born three children, but the daughter,
Mary, died at the age of seventeen years. The elder son, James Boyd, is now
cashier of a bank in Kearney, Nebraska, where he has made his home for the
past twenty years. He is married and has a son eleven years of age, and also
lost one son in infancy. William, now residing in Morrison, married a
daughter of M. S. Heaton. He spent several years in Kearney, Nebraska, but
returned to Morrison, and is now connected with the condensed milk factory
there, driving over the country in the interests of the company.
For many years John Boyd, of this review, led a most active life and
was widely known as an enterprising farmer, who kept abreast with the
times in all lines of agricultural improvement. In addition to the tilling of
the soil he followed the dairy business for several years, and also bought and
shipped cattle, making a specialty of milk cows. He devoted the last twenty
years of his business life to the cattle business. He is now living retired,
having a fine farm, upon which he has made all of the improvements. About
eighteen or twenty years ago he erected his present commodious and beautiful
residence, and here he is now spending the evening of his life in the enjoy-
ment of well earned rest. He has reached the venerable age of eighty-two
years, but keeps in touch with the interests of the day and in spirit seems
much younger. Politically he has always been a democrat, but never an
aspirant for office. His time and energies have been concentrated upon his
business interests with gratifying success, and his life may well serve as an
example to others, showing what may be accomplished by persistent, hon-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 839
f
orable effort. No word has ever been uttered against his good name, and on
the contrary he enjoys to the fullest degree the respect and confidence of
those with whom he has been associated. He has always stood for all that is
just and right in man's relations with his fellowmen, and has ever endorsed
movements for the benefit of the county along material, intellectual, social
and moral lines.
H. C. CONRADY.
It is always a source of encouragement to others to learn of the. history
of a self-made man who in the pursuit of an honorable purpose and untiring
activity in business affairs wins a goodly measure of success. Such has been
the record of H. C. Conrady, who follows farming and stock-raising on sec-
tion 23, Union Grove township. Six years ago he purchased this farm of two
hundred acres, which is now finely improved, being equipped with many mod-
ern accessories and conveniences, while the well kept appearance of the place
indicates his careful and systematic management. He is one of the county's
native sons, having been born in April, 1865, in Clyde township, where he
resided until fourteen years ago.
His parents, Henry and Christina (Zugschwerdt) Conrady, are both now
deceased, the former having died in 1895, when more than eighty-six years
of age, while the latter passed away in 1881, at the age of fifty-four years.
Henry Conrady came from Germany to the United States in 1840, casting in
his lot with the pioneer settlers of Whiteside county when almost the entire
countryside presented the appearance of a wild and undeveloped tract of land,
unacquainted with the labors of the white race. He purchased part of his
land at a dollar and a quarter per acre and also bought other tracts, securing
about one hundred and fifteen acres, which he devoted to general farming.
His political views endorsed the democratic party and his religious faith was
indicated by his membership in the Catholic church.
Unto him and his wife were born nine children : James, a retired farmer
living in Kingsley, Iowa; William, of Carroll county, Illinois, who for many
years followed agricultural pursuits but is now retired; Henry C., of this
review; Frank, a resident of Kingsley, Iowa; Julia, who is also living in the
same place ; Mrs. Lizzie Senniff, whose husband is a farmer of Carroll county,
Illinois ; Clara, who died at the age of twenty years ; Mrs. Dora Taylor, who
died at Chadwick, Carroll county, Illinois, in the fall of 1905 ; and Mrs. Katie
Aldritt, whose husband operates a farm in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
H. C. Conrady spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Clyde town-
ship and when twenty-one years of age started out in life on his own account.
As he had no capital it was necessary that he earn the money to enable him
to become a landowner. For sixteen years he cultivated rented land but all
this time was possessed of a laudable ambition to one day own a farm and by
carefully saving his earnings he was at length enabled to purchase his present
farm in the fall of 1901. It was formerly known as the Thomas Harrison
840 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
place and comprises two hundred acres of productive soil that responds readily
to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. The plowing and planting
of early spring are followed by bounteous harvests in the late autumn and thus
year by year he is adding to his competency.
In 1892, in Iowa, Mr. Conrady was married to Miss Ella Jane Huffman,
who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1866, a daughter of Joseph
and Susan J. (Light) Huffman, who became residents of Iowa in 1868, set-
tling in Jackson county, where they remained a number of years. Both are
now deceased, the father having died in 1880, at the age of forty-two years,
while the mother passed away November 1, 1908, at the age of sixty-eight
years. They were the parents of ten children : Edwin, who is living in Kings-
ley, Iowa; Harvey, who resides on the old home farm in Clinton county;
Joseph, living at Monmouth, Jackson county, Iowa; John, who died at the
age of twenty-one years; Mrs. Lucina Kauffman, of Jackson county, Iowa;
Mrs. Anne Hicks, whose husband is a farmer of Ames, Iowa; Mrs. Conrady;
Mrs. Villa Wade, who died at her home in Nebraska about 1894 ; Mrs. Emroy
Leatherberry, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Mrs. Nellie Durkee, of Carroll
county, Illinois.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Conrady was blessed with a son and daugh-
ter: Lester H., who was born in Clyde township March 14, 1895; and Nellie
G., born September 25, 1900, in Carroll county, Illinois. The parents are
well known in this part of the state, where they have many friends. Political-
ly a democrat, Mr. Conrady has been called to serve a? tax collector and "in
other local offices -of Clyde township and has also been officially connected
with the schools as a director. Both he and his wife hold membership with
the Mvstic Workers of Morrison.
HARLOW SMITH.
In a history of those who have been factors in Whiteside county's agri-
cultural development mention should be made of Harlow Smith, who for a
long period was connected with farming interests here. He came from Can-
ada to Whiteside county in 1848 and died in Hume township on the 27th
of February, 1905. His birth occurred in Preston, Canada, May 19, 1830.
His parents, William and Ana (Southerland) Smith, were both natives of
Vermont, and in early life crossed the border into Canada and were there
identified with farming interests throughout the remainder of their days.
They had a family of thirteen children, but only one is now living Mrs.
Electa Dolph, who resides in Preston, Canada.
Harlow Smith spent the first eighteen years of his life in the place of
his nativity and acquired a public-school education. He then came to Illi-
nois, believing that better business opportunities were to be enjoyed in the
United States than in the Dominion and that while competition was livelier
success was more quickly secured. He located in Prophetstown, where he
began working for Warner Brothers in driving a team, hauling wood and
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HARLOW SMITH.
MRS. HARLOW SMITH.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 845
grain to Peoria, Illinois, and to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He would then
bring back a load of merchandise and spent about three weeks on the trip.
For two years he remained in the employ of that firm, after which he took
up the arduous task of breaking prairie, and through his labors the sod was
turned on many an acre and the first furrows made in the development of
the fields. Desiring to own a farm of his own, he carefully saved his earn-
ings and his first investment in property brought to him eighty acres of land
in Prophetstown township. With characteristic energy he began its develop-
ment and later sold that tract and bought eighty acres in Tampico town-
ship. His next purchase made him owner of one hundred and sixty acres,
which he broke and developed. About this time wheat went to two dollars
per bushel and as there was no money in the county and he had raised
no crop, he was forced to give up all of his land but eighty acres, which he
sold. Many of the early settlers experienced very hard times owing to the
fact that there was little market for their crops and, while prices were very
high 011 many commodities which they were forced to purchase, there was
little ready money in the west.
In 1865 Mr. Smith purchased two hundred acres of land on section 34,
Hume township, which his son William now owns. As the years passed he
speculated quite largely in land and was very successful, at one time own-
ing over one thousand acres. He also owned and operated a threshing ma-
chine for fifty years and as a thresher conducted a prosperous business, for
comparatively few in the county owned threshing machines and his services
were in constant demand. When he bought the farm in Hume township
there was a small house upon it and a prairie stable, and the land was fenced.
Otherwise it was unimproved, but the unfaltering energy and diligence of
Mr. Smith wrought a transformation in his home place, which he converted
into one of the finest farms of the county. He was a large stock-raiser,
keeping on hand one hundred and fifty head of cattle and sixty-five head of
horses. He also raised hogs to the value of from one to two thousand dol-
lars per year.
On the 2d of December, 1855, Mr. Smith was married in Lyndon to Mis^
Louisa Pope, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in the village of
Spaulding, October 5, 1838. Her parents were Abraham and Sarah (Cramp-
ton) Pope. Her father, born in 1808, died in 1892 and her mother, born
in 1807, passed away in 1889. They came to America in 1850, crossing the
Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which was seven weeks in completing the voyage
from England to New Orleans. They thence came up the Mississippi river
to Albany and located at Lyndon, Illinois. The father was a cabinet-maker
in England and after coming to the United States worked as a carpenter.
He also bought land near Lyndon, but after six years sold that property and
removed to Tampico township, where he purchased three hundred and twenty
acres of prairie that he cultivated and improved successfully, carrying on
farm work there until 1878, when he retired and went to Vancouver Island
with his wife. They had a daughter living there and the death of Mr. Pope
occurred on that island. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pope were born eight children,
of whom five 'are yet living: Mr?. Emma Turgoose, who is living in Van-
846 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
couver; Mrs. Sarah Mummert, of Waukena, Kansas; Mr*. Smith; Thomas,
who resides in Manchester, Iowa; and Aaron, who is living in Tampico,
Illinois.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born six children: Carrie L., the wife
of Fred Brown, a farmer of Hume township; Ida, the wife of R. B. Smith,
of Prophetetown, by whom she had two children, Henry A. and Harlow
E.; Sarah E., the wife of James J. Farrell, of Prophets-town township; Wil-
liam N., at home; Minnie E., the widow of Dr. T. L. Round and living
upon the old homestead; and Herbert H., who married Miss Dolly Teacii,
residing at Craig, Canada.
Of this family, William N. Smith was born September 14, 1884, and
has always remained at home. He now owns the old homestead property in
Whiteside county of two hundred acres and eight hundred acres in Canada.
He was his father's able assistant and has made a success of life, capably
managing his business affairs so that they bring to him an excellent financial
return. He owns and operates a threshing machine outfit and is greatly
interested in stock-raising, having upon his place some fine bred horses that
have shown considerable speed. The management of his father's business
interests largely developed upon him as soon as he was old enough to take
the responsibility, for his father had received but limited educational priv-
ileges in early life and was considerably handicapped thereby. In politics
William N. Smith has always been deeply interested and has held several
offices in his township, serving also as a member of the county central com-
mittee of the republican party. At local elections, however, he believes in
supporting candidates without regard to party affiliation.
Harlow Smith was a stalwart republican in his political views, while for
some years he served as school director. He believed in employing good
teachers and maintaining efficient schools, and in fact he advocated progress
along various lines that are helpful to the individual and the community at
large. As the years passed he won a notable success through his judicious
investments and capable management and at his death left an estate valued
at seventy-five thousand dollars. His genuine worth had gained for him a
host of warm friends, so that his demise was deeply regretted throughout
the entire community. Mrs. Smith is a lady of innate culture and refine-
ment, devoted to her family, and in the county has a host warm friends.
THOMAS ALEXANDER GALT.
Honored and respected by all, there is no man who has occupied a more
enviable position in the business life of Whiteside county than Thomas Alex-
ander Gait, and it is therefore imperative that mention be made of him in
this volume. As a business man and citizen he has contributed in substan-
tial measure to the welfare and upbuilding of city and county. His indus-
trial and commercial interests have been so extensive and important that the
business development of this section of the state has been greatly enhanced
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 847
thereby, while at the same time his enterprises have proven a source of grati-
fying individual profit. The methods that he has employed in his business
life are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
Mr. Gait was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1828.
The ancestry of the family is traced back to Robert Gait, who came to this
country from the north of Ireland and settled in Lancaster county in 1710,
there following the occupation of farming. The line of descent comes down
through James, Thomas, James and William Gait to Thomas Alexander Gait
of this review, all natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, James Gait,
was also born in Lancaster county, arid in connection with farming followed
the occupation of milling. He died there at the age of sixty-five years, while
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Martin, attained a very ad-
vanced age. Their family numbered five sons and five daughters, including
William Gait, also a native of Lancaster county. He was reared to agricul-
tural pursuits, and always gave his attention to the tilling of the soil through-
out his business career. He was born in 1794, and his life record covered a
span of forty-eight years. He wedded Mary Ann Thomas, a native of Mont-
gomery county, Pennsylvania, and daughter of Zaddock Thomas, who was
born in the same county, and in early life followed merchandising, while
later he became president of the Montgomery County Bank, and for many
years remained at the head of that financial institution. He married Ruth
Thomas, and both died when about ninety-two years of age. In their family
were two daughters and a son : Mary Ann, who became the wife of William
Gait; Julia Ann, the wife of James Gait, both now deceased; and Ezeriah
Thomas, who spent the greater part of his life in Chester county, Pennsyl-
vania.
Unto Mr. and Mrs.7 William Gait were born ten children, six sons and
four daughters; Amanda, the widow of James L. Crawford, of Sterling;
Julia, the deceased wife of James T. Lowrey; Thomas A., of this review;
Isabella, who became the wife of Alexander McCloy, of Sterling, but is now
deceased ; Ezeriah Thomas, a resident of Chicago ; Dr. William James, who is
now deceased; John M., who in early life was a prominent business man of
Sterling, but is also deceased ; Zaddock Thomas, deceased ; Ruth A., the widow
of Dr. Pennington, of Sterling; and Francis Randolph, who died in infancy.
All were born upon the old home farm in East Earl township, Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, which property is still in possession of the Gait family.
The mother, long surviving her husband, passed away in Sterling in 1870,
at the age of seventy years. Both were devoted members of the Presbyterian
church and earnest Christian people.
Thomas A. Gait was reared in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, remain-
ing upon the old home farm until fifteen years of age, and pursuing his edu-
cation in the old fashioned roadside school. When a youth of fifteen he
began earning his own living as a clerk in Concord, Pennsylvania, and the
succeeding year went to Strasburg, Pennsylvania, where he was employed
as a salesman from 1845 to 1847, inclusive. In 1848 he accepted a position
in a wholesale dry goods store in Philadelphia, where he continued for a
year, returning to Stra.-burg in 1849. There he bought out the business of
848 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
his old employer and continued as a merchant of that place for six years.
He arranged to purchase the store on credit, and the confidence reposed in
him by his former employer is indicated by the fact of this arrangement, and
also by the fact that Mr. Gait was not then twenty-one years of age.
The year 1855 witnessed the arrival of Thomas Alexander Gait in Ster-
ling, and he soon became an active factor in its commercial interests, forming
a partnership in the hardware business with David M. Crawford, with whom
he was associated for two years under the firm style of Gait & Crawford. He
then purchased his partner's interest and admitted his brother, John M. Gait,
to the firm under the style of Thomas A. Gait & Brother. They were thus
associated for seven or eight years, when they disposed of the hardware store
and Thomas A. Gait turned his attention to the manufacture of farm machin-
ery in connection with George S. Tracey. They also conducted a planing
mill and sash and door factory, thus extending the scope of their activity and
contributing to the industrial enterprise and business development of the
county. Their property increased and the business prospered until 1867,
when the plant was destroyed by fire, but with undaunted courage they rebuilt
on a more extensive scale, and in 1870 incorporated the Keystone Manufac-
turing Company, with a capital stock of one hundred and fifty thousand dol-
lars. This company manufactured a general line of farm machinery, which
they sold in all parts of the world. In 1870, also in association with Mr.
Tracey, Mr. Gait incorporated the Sterling Manufacturing Company for the
manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, etc., but this has also been converted into
a farm machinery plant. Their business developed into one of the largest
manufacturing concerns of the country. They employed several hundred
workmen, and thus placed large amounts of money in circula-
tion in Sterling, Rock Falls and Whiteside county. They encouraged thrift
and industry among their men and induced many of them to build homes
in Rock Falls, while others built dwellings in Sterling. The plants were
removed to Rock Falls, and the business was continued under the name of
the Keystone Manufacturing Company until it was merged into the National
Harvester Company. /Mr. Gait was a moving spirit in this enterprise which
became one of the foremost industrial concerns of Illinois. In all things
he displayed an aptitude for successful management, formed his plans readily
and carried them forward to successful completion. For more than forty
years he was connected with those business interests which proved not only a
valuable element in his individual success, but contributed so largely to the
city's moral development and prosperity. He was also the promoter of the
Eureka Manufacturing Company, which was first organized for the manu-
facture of school furniture, and was one of the largest of the kind in the west.
Since then it has been converted into a carriage manufacturing company,
which has grown to be an extensive enterprise, nearly one-half of the product
of the factory being shipped to foreign countries, a large amount of this
being sent to Buenos Ayres, South America. They also made extensive ship-
ments to South Africa until the Boer war, sending direct to Capetown and
Port Elizabeth. There are few industrial interests of Sterling or of Rock
Falls which have not been promoted or received the assistance of Mr. Gait,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 849
who is still interested in a number there. He also erected the Gait House
in 1876, and it has since been the leading hotel of Sterling and this part of
the state. In connection with his partner, George S. Tracey, he built the
Academy of Music, and he also built a number of other business blocks of the
city and private residences. He erected the handsome building recently
donated to the city for a hospital and now known as the Galt-Brookfield
Hospital.
Mr. Gait has always been a very busy man and still has large property
interests in Sterling. He owns much improved and unimproved property and
from his realty interests derives a most gratifying annual income. He de-
serves all the praise implied in the term, a "self-made man," for he started
out in the business world without capital and without special training. He
early came to a realization of the fact that enterprise and unwearied industry
constitute a safe basis upon which to build the superstructure of success, and
thus he has builded up the business interests which are a monument to his
active, useful life. His first year's salary when he began for himself was
but fifty dollars. He bought but one suit of clothes a year and practiced
economy in various ways until his well directed labor and careful expendi-
ture secured for him capital sufficient to enable him to engage in business
on his own account.
Mr. Gait was married in October, 1850, to Miss Sallie Julila Jones, of
New Hartford, Connecticut, who died in 1853. In 1856 he wedded Miss
Catherine Anthony, of Borodino^ New York, a daughter of Isaac and Per-
melia (Phelps) Anthony.^There were eight children of that marriage.
Elliott LeRoy, the eldest, now engaged in the banking business in Sterling,
married Annie Carter, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and they had five chil-
dren, of whom four are now living: Thomas Arthur, Margaret Adelia,
Helen and Donald Alexander. For his second wife Elliott L. Gait wedded
Mary Harvey, of Sterling, Illinois, and they have one son, Robert Harvey.
Helen Jane Gait, the second member of the father's family, is the widow of
Louis Edwin Brookfield, and they had three children, Emily Catharine,
Fannie Harriet and Edwin Gait Brookfield. Mary Permelia is the next of
the family. Emily Catharine is the wife of Orville P. Bassett, editor of the
Springfield News, and they have one daughter, Emily Catharine. Ruth Gait
became the wife of Frank W. Murphy, and they have two children, Catharine
Virginia and Edwin Brookfield Murphy. Three of the children of Thomas
A. and Catherine (Anthony) Gait died in early childhood. For his third
wife Mr. Gait chose Mrs. Mary (Holmes) Ross, a daughter of Samuel and
Catherine Holmes. ^^
Mr. Gait has always been active in support of public enterprises and has
been particularly generous in his contributions to the churches. While he
is a Presbyterian in religious faith, he has given substantial encouragement
to other denominations and rejoices in what is accomplished in behalf of re-
ligion. His ancestors and the later generations of the family since the first
Gait came to America, in 1710, have never deviated from the Presbyterian
faith with the exception of one, who became affiliated with the Episcopal
church. Politically Mr. Gait was originally a whig, but upon the organiza-
850 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
tion of the new republican party he joined its ranks and has since followed
its banners. While in no sense a politician, he has had personal acquaintance
with many distinguished party leaders and public men, some of whom have
attained national reputation, including Lincoln, Grant, and others. He
never held but one office, and that the mayor of Sterling, in which capacity
he served for one year, being the first temperance mayor of the city, and
filling the office at great sacrifice to himself, as it demanded time and at-
tention which should have been given to the furtherance of his business in-
terests. His administration was of a most practical, business-like and pro-
gressive character, resulting in the achievement of needed reforms and in the
advancement of the work of improvement along lines which have been of ut-
most benefit. Mr. Gait has today passed the eightieth milestone on life's
journey. By the consensus of public opinion he is placed among the fore-
most in the ranks of those men whose labors have been of the utmost value
to the city and county. His business is widely acknowledged as a factor in
the commercial and industrial development of the locality. His example is
such as many might profitably heed, following the obvious lessons which it
contains, for the course which he marked out for himself and which he has
closely followed is such as leads to splendid character development as well as
to the acquirement of material prosperity.
JOHN PEPPER.
John Pepper is now living retired in Erie, having passed the eighty-fifth
milestone on life's journey. He was born in Wentworth, County York, Eng-
land, a son of John and Mary (Pepper) Pepper, who were cousins and spent
their entire lives in England. John Pepper of this review was the fifth of
that name who resided upon the rented farm in England on which his birth
occurred. It was a tract of land of one hundred and ninety-five acres and hi?
father employed five men in its cultivation. The family numbered four
sons and two daughters but the subject of this review is the only one who
became a resident of America. One brother and one sister, however, are
still living in England. The parents continued to reside in that country until
called to their final rest, the death of the father occurring when he was seven-
ty-one years of age, while his wife died at the age of eighty-two years. His
mother died in the nineties. She had never been ill a day in her life and
did her housework on the day that she died. She had reared a family of
eleven children and throughout her entire life enjoyed remarkable health.
John Pepper whose name introduces this review remained upon the
home farm until fifteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the
carpenter's trade, which he followed in his native land until he reached the
age of twenty-six years, when he determined to seek a home and fortune in the
new world. Accordingly, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed
for the United States, taking up his abode at Adrian, Michigan, in 1850. He
there worked at the carpenter's trade and helped to build the first railroad
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 851
shops at that place. Adrian was at that time a town of about thirty-five hun-
dred inhabitants. Mr. Pepper worked at carpentering for two or three years
and then assisted in the building of the railroad shops, after which he was
employed in the shops. He was afterward engaged in the railroad shops at
LaPorte, Indiana, for several years and subsequently removed to Blooming-
ton, where he worked for several years in the shops of the Chicago & Alton
Railroad Company. His next removal took him to Jackson, Tennessee, where
he was again employed in the railroad shops, his efficiency in mechanical
pursuits enabling him to readily obtain a position wherever he went. He
remained in the south until October, 1861, when he returned to the north,
making his way to Whiteside county. Here he located on a farm on the
river bottoms, four rniles west of the village of Erie, in Erie township, having
purchased the property in 1857, when on a visit to this district. He had
invested in one hundred acres of land, which he has owned continuously since,
or for a period of more than a half century. Later he extended the original
boundaries of his place until he now owns one hundred and eighty acres in that
farm and in addition has seven acres of timber land. He did not remain long
upon the farm after his arrival from Tennessee, however, but went to Clin-
ton, Iowa, where he engaged in the building of passenger coaches for the
railroad company, having charge of the coach department. He worked there
for eleven years, or until the big shops were built at Chicago. In the
meantime he had become the owner of a nice home in Clinton, which he
erected, but at the time of the transfer of the railroad interests to Chicago he
disposed of his house in Clinton and took up his abode upon his farm in
Erie township, where he continued to reside until about four years ago, when
he put aside agricultural pursuits and became a resident of the village. His
life has been a very busy, useful and active one and his untiring industry
in industrial and agricultural lines has brought to him the measure of success
which he is now enjoying.
On the 8th of November, 1859, occurred the marriage of Mr. Pepper
and Miss Emily Oakey, a native of Birmingham, England, born July 14, 1841.
She came to the United States in 1852, with her parents, Isaac and Anna
(Hunt) Pepper, both of whom were natives of England. On crossing the
Atlantic they located in Laporte, Indiana, and her father there worked in
the railroad shops at the time that Mr. Pepper was thus employed at that
point. They afterward removed to Whiteside county and resided upon the
farm which is now the property of Mr. Pepper. It was upon this farm that
the marriage of our subject and his wife occurred and they have become the
parents of three children: Frances, the wife of Joshua Stephenson, of Rock
Island county, Illinois, by whom she has three children: Wallace, Harvey and
Clara D. ; Mrs. Henry Osburn, of Oklahoma, who has one daughter, Mabel,
who "married Benjamin Fisher, a native of England, and is now living in
Oklahoma; arid Clara, the wife of James Gray, of Monticello, Illinois. She was
previously married to Edward Andrews, who died, leaving a daughter, Dorcas.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Pepper has given his
support to the democratic party. He cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce,
declaring his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States in 1851,
852 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
just in time to secure him the right of franchise for voting at the election in
which Pierce was chosen for the president. Mr. Pepper has served as road
oiFicer and has been officially connected with the schools. He has ever been
a wide reader and has thus kept in touch with the trend of progressive thought.
A love of music has ever been one of his salient characteristics and at the age
of sixteen years he became a member of a band in England, with which he
played until he came to the United States. He also played with a band in
Adrian, Michigan, in Clinton, Iowa, and in Fulton, Illinois. His love of music
has been a source of great enjoyment to him throughout his entire life and he
possesses more than ordinary talent in that direction. He has never had
occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for he
found here the opportunities he sought and through the improvement of the
advantages which opened to him he worked his way steadily upward, making
a creditable record as a business man, both in the honorable methods he fol-
lowed and in the success he attained. He is now one of the honored and ven-
erable citizens of Erie, having reached the eighty-fifth milestone on the journey
of life, while the record he has made may well serve as an example and as
a source of inspiration and encouragement to others.
ALBERT T. ABBOTT.
The name of Abbott is an old and familiar one in Whiteside county,
for from its very earliest history representatives of the family have been
closely identified with its agricultural development and progress. The gen-
tleman whose name introduces this record was for many years identified with
that field of activity, but his labors in former years now enable him to live
retired, although he still retains his residence on his fine farm of two hundred
and seventy acres, situated in Garden Plain township, this place constituting
the old family homestead.
Albert T. Abbott was born in Chautauqua county, New York, July 20,
1842, a son of Clark and Betsy (Crouch) Abbott, natives of New -Hampshire
and New York, respectively. The family was founded in America by thir-
teen brothers, who emigrated to this country from Scotland prior to the time
that this country was engaged in the struggle for independence. Landing in
New York city, they there separated, establishing their homes in various
sections of the New England states. Most of the brothers engaged in farm-
ing and several of them served in the American army in the war for inde-
pendence. However, Moses Abbott, the grandfather of our subject, was a
cripple and was therefore incapacitated for service. His family numbered
several children, but there is record of but five, these being: Moses, who
served in the Mexican war; Clark; John; Relief, who married a Mr. Cook;
and Nora. The father of this family died in Vermont.
Clark Abbott, the father of our subject, was born and reared in New
Hampshire. In 1843, hoping to enjoy better advantages in the west, he
made his way to Illinois, settling near Aurora, where he made his home
A. T. ABBOTT
LIBRARY
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 855
until 1852, in which year he took up his abode in Whiteside county, taking
up government land in Ustick township. At the time he settled in this
localitj' there were but three other settlers in the township, these being Oliver
Baker, Henry I. Burt and Aaron Ives. Here a long, strenuous task pre-
sented itself to him, but he met it with a steady, unwavering resolution.
Wild game was still plentiful in this district and wolves frequently came in
the dooryard. The houses, too, were very crude, being built by driving posts
into the ground and covering them with slabs or clapboards on the outside,
while in the winter a similar wall was made on the inside, the space between
the boards being filled with dirt in order that the inmates might be better
protected from the cold. The roof of the house was also made of clapboards
and many times members of the family who were sleeping in the attic have
wakened in the morning to find several inches of snow on the bed. The
father soon developed his farm of one hundred and fifty acres and each year
gathered good crops, for the soil was made rich and productive through the
care and labor he bestowed upon it. The family had to endure many hard-
ships and inconveniences during the pioneer epoch of this section of the
state, the nearest milling point being at Jacobstown, in the northern portion
of the county. The trip was made with ox teams, the journey requiring a
day, and often upon reaching the mill one would have to wait a week in
order to get his feed ground into bread stuff, this being the only milling
place for a great area of country. In 1861 the loyalty and patriotism of Mr.
Abbott was displayed when he organized a company for service in the Civil
war, this being known as Company F, of the Ninety-third Illinois Regiment.
He did not go to the front, however, as his son enlisted and his services were
needed on the home farm and in the care of the wife and children. He con-
tinued to cultivate this property until 1868 and during this time took an
active interest in public office. At various times he served as city marshal,
being in the office about ten years, while for several terms he served as deputy
sheriff and as constable. His death occurred in 1882, and thus the county
lost one of its most valued and honored pioneer citizens, for from the time
of his settlement here he had been known as a most industrious and useful
man, whose probity was an unquestioned element in his career, and many
times his energy was at the service of his community.
Clark Abbott was three times married. He was first married in the east
to Miss Betsy Crouch, a native of New York, who died in 1845, two years
after coming to this state. The children of that marriage, five in number, all
lived to maturity, these being: Mariam, the deceased wife of Abner Ustick;
Olive, the widow of John Johnson ; Llewellyn, deceased ; Leland, who served
in the Civil war as a member of Company F, Ninety-third Illinois Infantry,
and is now deceased; and Albert T., whose name introduces this record. The
second wife of Mr. Abbott bore the name of Sarah Moore and by this mar-
riage there was one daughter, Helen, who died of diphtheria, this being the
first case of that disease in the county where death resulted. Mr. Abbott was
married a third time to Mrs. Mary Wilson, nee Cocks, by whom he had a son
and daughter: Clark, and Mary, the wife of Ollie Penoyer, a resident of
Quincy, Illinois.
856 HISTOKY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Albert T. Abbott was but a year old when he was brought from the
east to Illinois and was a lad of eleven yeans at the time the removal was
made to Whiteside county, so that he is thoroughly familiar with all the
pioneer conditions that here existed at the time the family home was estab-
lished in Ustick township. He shared with the other members of the house-
hold in all the hardships and privations incident to the development of a
farm in a wild and unsettled district and acquired his education in a log
schoolhouse in the neighborhood, the methods of instruction being equally
as primitive as the building in which his studies were pursued. He assisted'
his father in the work of the home farm until 1861, when, the Civil war
having been inaugurated, he displayed his loyalty by offering his services to
the government and at the age of nineteen years became a member of Com-
pany F, Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Regiment, serving in the Seventy-
fifth Corps. He participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Raymond and
Jackson, Mississippi, and engaged in. many other skirmishes and battles of
lesser importance. After the surrender of Vicksburg, his regiment was at-
tached to the Seventeenth Corps and he was engaged in the Atlanta campaign
and was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea. From Raleigh,
North Carolina, the regiment marched to Washington, D. C., and from the
latter place went to Louisville, Kentucky, thence making their way' to Chi-
cago, where Mr. Abbott was mustered out on the 5th of July, 1865, his term
of service covering two years, eleven months and some days.
It was on the following day that Mr. Abbott returned to his home in
Whiteside county and resumed his labors on the home farm. After two
years, however, he established a home of his own by his marriage, in 1867,
to Miss Eliza Wilson, a daughter of Mrs. Mary Wilson, nee Cocks, who be-
came the third wife of Clark Abbott, the father of our subject. The young
couple took up their abode upon a farm and in 1873 Mr. Abbott purchased
the old homestead farm, comprising one hundred and fifty acres, for which
he paid thirty-five dollars per acre. As the years passed and he prospered
in his undertakings he added to his original holdings until his place now
embraces two hundred and seventy acres, located in Garden Plain township.
In his farm labor he has followed the most progressive and modern methods,
so that his land is among the richest and most productive of Whiteside
county, today being worth at least one hundred dollars per acre. For many
years he was actively engaged in carrying on agricultural pursuits, but
through his energy and careful management he has acquired a competence
that now enables him to spend the evening of his days in honorable retire-
ment, although he still maintains his residence on the old home farm.
The home of Mr. and and Mrs. Abbott was blessed with two sons and a
daughter: Louie, a resident of Garden Plains township; Lee, who is engaged
in merchandising in Garden Plain ; and Inez, the wife of Harry Bitler, who
is engaged in farming at Albany. The wife and mother passed away in-
1882. She was highly respected by all who knew her and her many friends
and neighbors felt the deepest loss when she was called from this life.
Mr. Abbott's political views endorse the principles and policy of the
democratic party and he has been called by the vote of his fellow townsmen'
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 857
to fill various public offices, having served as road commissioner for twenty-
nine years, while for nine years he served as assessor of his township, his
official duties having been discharged with the same promptness and fidelity
that he displays in the management of his private business affairs. Having
lived in Whiteside county from his infancy, Mr. Abbott is familiar with all
the pioneer conditions of this section of the -state. He has seen the country
developed into one of the foremost districts of this great state and through
struggle and adversity has made his way to the front until today, crowned
with a comfortable competence he stands in the same relation to his fellow-
men as he did in his early years when struggling for a livelihood, recognizing
and appreciating honest purpose and genuine worth and rating the indi-
vidual by his merits and not by his possessions. Today at the age of sixty-
six years he lives a contented and happy life and enjoys the rest which he
so well deserves.
JOSEPH C. SNYDER.
Joseph C. SnyderJ whose life record is a valuable asset in contemporaneous
history in Albany and Whiteside county, was born July 18, 1844, in the
town which is still his home. His parents, Joseph and Nancy (Clarke)
Snyder, were both natives of Ohio, and in 1844 came from Cincinnati, making
the journey westward in the month of April by way of Cairo and St. Louis.
Joseph Snyder had previously visited Whiteside county in 1836, but had
returned to Ohio, had married there and made his home in the Buckeye state
for eight years. Following his arrival in Illinois in 1844, he first purchased
forty acres of land in Garden Plain township. He afterward entered a claim
from the government, and also purchased more land and became one of the
extensive land owners of the county, having at the time of his death about
nine hundred acres. His business interests were carefully and honorably con-
ducted, and his success therefore gained for him the respect and admiration
of his fellowmen. When he journeyed westward to Illinois he employed a
young man to drive a team from Cincinnati, and thus bring a portion of the
household goods. After reaching Whiteside county the young man traded
one of his horses for his first land. In those early days Chicago was the
market for the people of this district. It was necessary to haul all wheat
to that point, and upon the return trip Mr. Snyder would bring home the
necessaries of life and a few of its comforts. He continued to do his trading
at Chicago until about 1855, when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was
built through. The pork which he sold in the city was all dressed at home,
and the first market for that product was at Galena, about sixty-five miles
distant. A little before the Northwestern Railroad was built, the Rock
Island was completed, and Geneseo became the market for wheat, Joseph C.
Snyder and his father hauling wheat to that point. It was there that Mr.
Snyder of this review first saw a railroad train. In his farming operation?
the father was very successful and became recognized as one of the prominent
858 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
and influential residents of this district. He died in the month of March,
1889, leaving a widow and nine children. Mrs. Snyder survived until May,
1891, when she, too, was called to her final rest.
The sons and daughters of the family are as follows: Joseph C., of this
review; John H., who is living in Garden Plain township; Mary, the wife of
Lafayette Clarke, of Morrison, Illinois; Sanford, of Nebraska; William, whose
home is in the state of Washington; Annie, the wife of Henry Harner, of
Beatrice, Nebraska; Alonzo S., who is living in Lewiston, Michigan; Edward,
who is located in Garden Plain township; and Hattie, the wife of J. E. Wads-
worth, of Morrison, Illinois.
Joseph C. Snyder, whose name introduces this record, was reared to man-
hood on his father's farm, and in the winter seasons attended the district
schools. As he was the eldest child of the family, his opportunities for ac-
quiring an education were somewhat limited, for his services were needed
on the farm and it was only when the farm work was practically over for
the year that he had the opportunity of attending school. He was eighteen
years of age when he joined the Union army, in June, 1862, becoming a
member of Company F, of the Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under
Captain A. F. Knight and Colonel Holden Putnam, of Freeport, Illinois. The
regiment was attached to the Seventeenth Army Corps, with which Mr. Sny-
der served for two years. During that time he participated in the battle of
Jackson, Mississippi, in 1863, after having previously taken part in the
battle of Raymond, Mississippi. He was also in the engagement at Cham-
pion Hills, where twenty-two men of his company were killed or wounded.
He was also in a severe skirmish on Big Black River, Mississippi, between
Jackson and Vicksburg, and on the 19th of May the army under General
Grant closed in on Vicksburg and Mr. Snyder participated in the siege of the
city until the 22d of May, when Grant ordered the historical charge on the
breastworks of Vicksburg, in which Mr. Snyder took part. From this time
on until the fall of the city, on the 4th of July, 1863, he was under constant
fire from the Confederate guns. Like most of the men engaged in the siege,
he felt the greatest satisfaction and pride when the city finally surrendered,
knowing that it meant a signal victory for the Union forces and showed a
very weak point in the Confederate strength. Then, too, it had not been alto-
gether pleasant to be under such constant fire from the enemy's guns.
Following the capitulation of Vicksburg, his corps was ordered north, and
for a time was at Helena, Arkansas, and at Memphis, Tennessee. From the
latter town they marched to Chattanooga, and on the 20th of November
reached their destination. Shortly afterward Mr. Snyder participated in the
battle of Mission Ridge, where, on the 25th of November, 1863, he was
wounded in the left ankle. This necessitated his remaining in the hospital
and on crutches for six months. After recovering the use of his limb he re-
joined his company, near Atlanta, Georgia, under General Sherman, his regi-
ment being at that time a portion of the Fifteenth Army Corps. He went
with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, and afterward participated
in a few skirmishes prior to the close of the war, when the surrender of Gen-
orals Lee and Johnston virtually put an end to hostilities. He was with his
HISTORY OF WHTTESIDE COUNTY 859
command at Raleigh, North Carolina, and from that point marched on to
Washington, 1). C.. where he participated in the grand review. There the
regiment was placed aboard the cars and sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where,
on the 23d of June, 1865, they were mustered out of service. Frojn that
point they proceeded to Chicago, and on the 7th of July received their pay and
were honorably discharged. Mr. Snyder, who had been at the front for three
years, gladly returned to the old home in Whiteside county, where he arrived
on the 8th of July, which was the second home-coming from the time of his
enlistment. When he was wounded and unable for duty he had been granted
a thirty days' furlough, which he spent at home.
On again reaching his native county, Mr. Snyder turned his attention
to farming, which he followed continuously until 1886. when he removed
to Albany. During the succeeding two years he engaged in fruit farming
within the city limits, and in May, 1889, he turned his attention to the livery
business, becoming the third liveryman in the city. For seventeen years
he successfully conducted his barn and received a liberal patronage. He car-
ried on the business until September, 1906, and then retired, being actively
engaged in no business enterprise at the present time. He was previously
engaged in breeding and buying and selling Shetland ponies. He also bred
one which, on reaching its full growth, only weighed two hundred and sev-
enty-five pounds, and he has owned and sold some of the finest Shetlands
ever seen in this part of the country.
On the 9th of October, 1866, Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Mary E.
Ewing, who was born in Albany and was a daughter of William and Harriet
(McMahon) Ewing, who were among the early settlers of the county, the birth
of Mrs. Snyder occurring here October 8, 1849. In early days here Mr.
Ewing was a teacher, being closely associated with the pioneer development
of the schools in this locality. Prior to the war he was engaged in steam-
boating on the Mississippi river, being owner and captain of a boat. Mrs.
Snyder well remembers the great tornado which caused so much destruction
in the town and to the river craft. Her father was also proprietor of one of
the first sawmills of the county, and was closely associated with the industrial
and business development as well as the intellectual progress of his com-
munity. He died in 1891, at the age of seventy-three years, his birth having
occurred in Ohio in 1818. He served his county frequently in positions of
public trust and confidence, and stood at all times for progress and im-
provement. His wife survived him for about seven years and passed away in
1898. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ewing were born eight children, all of whom are
still living: Mrs. Snyder; Phoebe, the wife of Ison Shaw, of Albany; W T illiam,
also living in Albany ; Fanny, the wife of James Beach, of Albany ; Christina,
the wife of a Mr. Robinson, of Chicago; Alta, the wife of Charles Tranger;
Charles, living in Albany; and Lula, the wife of Charles Stephens, of Belle-
ville, Wisconsin.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snyder were born four children : Fanny, the wife of
J. W. Langford, of Mondota, Illinois: Minnie, the wife of G. A. Lott, of
Pueblo, Colorado; Mabel, the wife of A. A. Slocum, of Ladd, Illinois; and
Myrtle, the wife of W. R. Beardsworth, of Albany.
860 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Mr. Snyder has filled several township offices, serving as constable of
Albany for twenty years, also as a member of the village board, and as a
member of the board of health. Politically he is a stanch republican, having
cast his first presidential vote for General Grant in 1868. He belongs to
Albany Ivodge, No. 456, I. 0. O. F., and to Keystone Lodge, No. 144, K. P.
His residence in this county covers sixty-four years. As one travels over the
Bounty and sees the many evidences of progressive development in business,
intellectual, social and moral lines, it seems hardly possible that it is within
the memory of living man when this was largely a wild and undeveloped
region, with but few homes over its surface, while Indians were frequently
seen and wild game was to be had in abundance. Such were the conditions,
however, that existed during the early boyhood, of Mr. Snyder, who is living
to witness the remarkable transformation of the county as its lands have
been claimed and cultivated, its towns founded and its villages transformed
into thriving cities. He has been known to many settlers of the county, and
his name here has ever been a synonym for honorable dealing in business.
His friends are many and his personal worth well entitles him to representa-
tion in this volume, as does the fact that he belongs to one of the old pioneer
families.
MARCUS LAFAYETTE COE.
A deep feeling of sadness spread throughout Sterling when, on the 6th
of March, 1902, it was announced that Marcus Lafayette Coe had passed from
this life, but while those who knew him remain, his memory will be cher-
ished, not so much on account of the splendid success which he achieved in
business, but because of his life of helpfulness, of good cheer, of broad sym-
pathy and his deep interest in and labors for the benefit of his fellowmen.
Mr. Coe was a native son of Whiteside county, his birth having occurred
on a farm in Jordan township, September 21, 1848, a son of Decius 0. and
Eveline N. (Stevens) Coe, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respec-
tively. Both the paternal great-grandfather and the grandfather bore the
name of Simeon Coe. The latter was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, and
with his parents removed to New York, the journey being made with a "spike
team" a yoke of oxen and a horse at the wheel. He was reared to manhood
in the Empire state, and in 1835 made his way to Whiteside county, Illinois,
where he entered government land in Jordan township, paying for the same
the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. He died here at the age of
sixty-four years, being survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary (Miles) Coe, who died
in 1857. Of their family of thirteen children only one now survives, Helen
Ann, who first wedded Moses Snavely, and after his death became the wife of
Thomas Stevens, who is also deceased. Mrs. Stevens has reached the advanced
age of eighty years, and has lost her eyesight. She makes her home on
Eighth avenue, in Sterling.
Decius 0. Coe, the father of our subject, was born in the village of Rush,
New York, and in 1835 accompanied his parents on their removal to White-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 861
side county, where he was reared to manhood. He was married here to Miss
Eveline N. Stevens, a daughter of Jonathan and Ellen (Bowman) Stevens,
the former a native of Stonington, Connecticut, whence he brought his fam-
ily to Whiteside county in the year 1838, and settled on a farm in Sterling
township, where he was engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his
life. Of their family of 'three sons and one daughter, all are now deceased.
The father parsed away at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother was
called to her final rest in 1888. As above stated, Decius 0. Coe was reared
and married in Whiteside county, subseqiient to which time he engaged in
farming on his own account, and eventually became the owner of one hun-
dred and sixty acres of excellent farming property. After a few years, how-
ever, he removed to Sterling, where he lived for a time, and then again
resumed the occupation of farming, removing to a place one mile north of
the city, this property now being in possession of Martin Brothers. Mr. Coe
was a public-spirited man, and for many years served as supervisor of Jor-
dan township, while during his residence- in Sterling he served as alderman.
He was also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Sterling. Both
he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, Mr. Coe serving as
an elder. His wife passed away at the age of sixty-one years, being survived
for nine years by Mr. Coe, who died November 17, 1897.
Marcus Lafayette Coe, the immediate subject of this record, was reared
on his father's farm in Jordan township, Whiteside county, aiding his father
in the work of the farm during the summer seasons, while in the winter months
he acquired his education in the Science Ridge District school, this learning
being supplemented by study in Mount Morris Seminary and in Cornell
(Iowa) College. Returning home after completing his education, he then re-
sumed the pursuits of farm life, which continued to be his occupation through-
out the remainder of his life with the exception of one year prior to his demise,
when he was engaged in the grocery business in Sterling.
It \va< on the 26th of August, 1875, that Mr. Coe established a home of his
own by his marriage to Miss Julia A. Gait, daughter of James A. and Mary
(Gait) Gait, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in
Montgomery county and the latter in Lancaster county. Only two of their
children reached mature years: Mrs. Coe; and Frank Gait, a real-estate dealer
of Sterling. The Gait family is of Scotch origin and settled in the Key-
stone state about the year 1710. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Coe were
James and Julianna Maria (Thomas) Gait, the former born in Lancaster
county, while he pa-sed away in Montgomery county, that state, when jf\
middle life. He was survived by his wife, -who died in 1875, when she had
reached the age of seventy-two years. Their son, James A. Gait, the father
of Mrs. Coe, was one of the early settlers of Sterling. He was here married to
Miss Mary Gait, who accompanied her father's family to Whiteside county in
1844. Her death occurred April 29, 1859, and Mr. Gait was married a second
time, this union being with Mrs. Mary (McCartney) Burton, the widow of
Albert Burton and a daughter of Judge David and Mary (McNair) McCart-
ney. By this union Mr. Gait had a son and daughter: Harry McCartney
Gait; and Edith Thomas Gait, who became the wife of Scott Williams.
862 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Coe began their domestic
life on his father's old homestead farm, where they made their home for six
years, subsequent to which time they removed to a farm near Emerson, Illi-
nois, where they lived until after the death of his mother, when he returned
to his father's homestead, which came into his possession upon the latter's
death. He later disposed of this property and purchased a farm in Jordan
township, this tract comprising three hundred acres, known as the Wolfer-
sperger farm, which he owned at the time of his death. A year prior to his
demise he abandoned farm life and removed to the city of Sterling, w T here he
engaged in the grocery business, in which he was quite successful.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Coe was blessed with six children, five sons
and one daughter. Frank is superintendent of the grain department of the
Corn Products Company of New York and Chicago. Carl S. is conducting a
cigar store and news stand in Sterling. He wedded Harriet V. Howland, by
whom he has one son, James Marcus. ' Evelyn B., the eldest daughter, is the
wife of George D. Greenough, a real-estate dealer of Sterling. James Alex-
ander died in January, 1905, at the age of twenty-one years. Dee 0. is em-
ployed by his brother Carl, while Burton W., the youngest member of the
family, is at home.
Mr. Coe gave his political support to the republican party, while his re-
ligious faith was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to
which his widow also belongs. He was well and favorably known in both
Sterling and Whitaside county as an industrious and useful man, whose prob-
ity was an unquestioned fact in his career and therefore his death, which
occurred on the 6th of March, 1902, was the occasion of deep regret not only
to his immediate family but also to his numerous friends and acquaintances.
JOHN F. SHULER.
Among the representatives of farming interests in Montmorency town-
ship is numbered John F. Shuler. He was born in this township on the
place where he now resides and is a son of John and Eliza (Scheler) Shuler,
who were natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father
came to America at an early age and, removing to the west, settled in White-
side county, Illinois, where he purchased eighty acres of land, while later he
added a tract of similar size to the first purchase. He became a prosperous
farmer and afterward bought' the old Woodford farm of one hundred and
sixty acres, where he lived for about a year and a half or until his death.
His good qualities won him the respect and confidence of his fellowmen,
while his well-directed activity was the measure of a gratifying success.
John F. Shuler acquired his education in the common schools and Rock
Falls high school, where he pursued the course to within a few months of
graduation, when the duties and responsibilities of the home farm made it
absolutely necessary that he put aside his text-books and assist his mother
in carrying on the home place. His father had died when the son was but
MR. AND MRS. JOHN F. SHULER
LIBRARY
OF THE
OF ILLISCE
HISTORY OF WHITESIUE COUNTY 865
seven years of age and from that time forward he assisted more and more
largely as his years and strength increased in the work of his mother's farm.
His entire life has been one of unremitting energy and carefully directed
diligence.
On the 23d of November, 1904, Mr. Shuler was married to Miss Han-
nah R. Ramsdell, a daughter of Reuben H. and Barbara (Smith) Ramsdell,
of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. At the time of their
marriage Mr. Shuler located upon the old homestead where he has since
lived. The place is known as the Pine Row farm and is pleasantly and con-
veniently located about three miles south of Sterling, in the midst of the
richest farming country of the world. The soil' responds readily to the care
and cultivation bestowed upon it and the intelligently directed labors of Mr.
Shuler have resulted in bringing forth large crops and in placing the farm
under high cultivation.
Mrs. Shuler was educated in the Sterling township high school and is
a graduate of the class of 1902. She also attended a business college and
was employed for a time as bookkeeper. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shuler have
many warm friends in this locality, where they have long resided, their good
qualities of heart and mind winning for them the favorable regard of those
with whom they have been associated. They are members of the Lutheran
church and Mr. Shuler gives his political allegiance to the republican party.
That his life has been a straightforward and honorable one is indicated by
the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him
from his boyhood to the present time.
VICTOR SCHIFFMACHER.
Victor Schiffmacher, who is now living retired at No. 806 First avenue in
Sterling, has long made his home in this section of the state. In fact more
than half a century has passed since he arrived in Whiteside county, begin-
ning life here as a farm hand. On the day that Abraham Lincoln was elected
to the presidency he took up his abode in Sterling, where he has since made
his home. The years have been witness of the honorable record that he has
made in the conduct of his business and in all his relations with his fellow-
men, and he is now held in such high regard as to render it imperative that
mention be made of him in this volume.
Mr. Schiffmacher -was born in Scheibenhardt, Kanton Langen, Kaudel,
Rheinpfalz, Germany, April 10, 1831, his parents being Francis Joseph and
Cathariria (Roth) Schiffmacher. The father was a civil engineer in his
native country and a prominent man of the locality in which he resided. He
died about 1867 or 1868 at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife survived
him for a considerable period and was more than eighty-eight years of age at
the time of her death. They were the parents of four children who reached
adult age: Victor; Appalonia, deceased; Joseph A., living in Sterling, Illinois;
and Thersia, deceased. One other child died in infancy.
866 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Victor Sch iff macher, who was reared in the fatherland, acquired a good
common-school education and when fourteen year* of age started out in life
on his own account by learning the cooper's trade, which he followed in
Germany and also after his emigration to the new world. Favorable reports
reached him concerning the opportunities of America and after a voyage of
forty-two days he landed in New York city, June 18, 1854, determined to try
his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. He made his way at once into the
interior of the country and reached Chicago on the 2d of July. Continuing
his journey westward to Whiteside county, he secured employment as a farm
hand in Jordan township about six miles from Sterling, and was thus em-
ployed during the summer months, while through the winter he. worked at his
trade. As previously stated he became a resident of Sterling in November,
1860, on the day on which Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Here
he worked as a journeyman at the cooper's trade, being so employed until the
following spring, when he began business on his own account, so continuing
until 1884. He built up an excellent trade as a cooper, sometimes employing
as many as forty men. On his retirement from that business he began con-
tracting and put in one of the first sewers in Sterling, it extending from the
river to the north side of the railroad tracks. He also put in the water wheels
and power for the electric light plant and took other contracts but for a long
period has lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
On the 31st of October, 1861, Mr. Schiffmacher was married to Miss Mar-
garetta Boehm, a daughter of Frederick and Salome Boehm. She died January
13, 1900, at the age of sixty-four years, in the faith of the Catholic church, her
membership having been with the Sacred Heart church. On the 24th of Sep-
tember, 1900, Mr. Schiffmacher was married again, his second union being
with Mary Ann Burkhard, who was born in Dahn, Kanton Dahn, Rheinpfalz,
Germany, November 29, 1848, a daughter of Philip and Margaretha (Schrein-
cr) Burkhard, who died between eight or nine years after she came to America.
Mrs. Schiffmacher landed in Rock Island on New Year's day, 1868, and has
since lived in northern Illinois.
Mr. Schiffmacher and his present wife are members of the Sacred Heart
Catholic church. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in
1860, also voted for General Grant and has many times supported the candi-
dates of the republican party but may be said to be independent in politics,
holding himself free to cast his ballot without regard to party affiliation or to
party rule. He resides at No. 806 First avenue. Sterling, where in 1906 he
erected a fine residence, and in the same year built an attractive home at No.
802 First avenue for his nephew, John Lauber.
Mr. Schiffmacher has never had occasion to regret his determination to
come to America for here he has found the business opportunities he sought
and as the years went by worked his way steadily upward from a humble finan-
cial position to one of affluence. His labors were carefully directed and his
keen insight and executive force were strong elements in his success. He
now has good invested interests from which he annually derives a desirable
income. He is a director of the First National Bank of Sterling, being so con-
nected with the institution for twenty-seven years and with the exception of
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 867
the president is the oldest director of this bank in years of continuous con-
nection with its board of managers. During this time he has only missed one
directors' meeting, this being in January, 1908.
JOHN D. ODLIN.
John D. Odlin, who carries on general farming and stock-raising in Union
Grove township, is a native of New Hampshire. He was born in Concord,
January 7, 1855. His father, George Odlin, was born August 26, 1823, in
Exeter, Rockingham county, New Hampshire, and was a son of James and
Martha (Osborn) Odlin, who were likewise natives of that place. George
Odlin was a youth of seventeen years when he left home and went to Concord
to learn the printer's trade, following the business there for twelve years. In
1844 he purchased an interest in the New Hampshire Statesman, which is
still being published at Concord, and edited that journal for seven years, after
which he sold out in 1851. However, he continued a resident of Concord and
of Manchester until 1856, when he left the Old Granite state and made his
way westward to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, for the purpose of engaging in the
milling business. He believed that he might have better business opportuni-
ties and secure success more quickly in the Mississippi valley, which was be-
ing rapidly settled. He continued in milling until 1858, when he removed
from Wisconsin to Union Grove township, Whiteside county, Illinois. Here
he turned his attention to farming, purchasing an improved tract of land on
section 5. His time and energies were given to its further development and
management until 1881, when he placed the property in the care of his son
and removed to Morrison, where he lived retired in the enjoyment of well
earned rest until his death, which occurred October 26, 1888. While he did not
seek to figure prominently in any public light, he lived as an upright, useful
citizen, an active and honorable business man, and thus left to his family an
untarnished name.
On the 9th of September, 1846, George Odlin was united in marriage to
MLss Emma P. Dustin, who was born in Francistown, Hillsboro county, New
Hampshire, and is a lineal descendant of Hannah Dustin, whose capture by
the Indians forms one of the romantic incidents of American history. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Odlin were born three sons and a daughter: James W. and
Joseph A., both now deceased ; Mrs. Martha Barrell, living in Maine ; and John
D., of this review.
The last named was only about a year old at the time of his parents' re-
moval to Wisconsin and was but three years of age when brought to White-
side county^ Here he was reared amid conditions and environments sugges-
tive "of the frontier and early formed habits of industry and integrity because
of the lessons impressed upon his mind by his father. Through his boyhood
and youth, when not engaged in the acquirement of an education in the pub-
lic schools, he worked in the fields and on the 12th of April, 1883, he made
arrangements for having a home of his own. It was on that day that he
868 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
married Miss Maggie Entwhistle, a daughter of J. W. Entwhistle, who was
born December 9, 1855. The young couple began their domestic life on the
farm which has since been their home and their union has been blessed with
one daughter, Nellie, who was born July 19, 1888. She still remains under
the parental roof and has been a successful teacher in the Lincoln school.
Mr. Odlin owns and operates one hundred and twenty acres of rich
farming land lying in Union Grove and Ustick townships. The fields are fer-
tile, responding readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon them, so
that he annually gathers golden harvests. In addition to tilling the soil he also
raises stock and both branches of his business are proving profitable. His
political allegiance is given to the republican party but the honors and emolu-
ments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to give his undivided
attention to his business interests. For half a century he has lived in this
county. It seems hardly possible that it is within the memory of living man
when Whiteside county was largely an unsettled and unimproved district, but
Mr. Odlin can remember when many of the good public highways of the
present had not been laid out; when its cities were villages and only com-
paratively few of its farms were cultivated. He enjoyed the hospitality of the
early days and the pleasures which frontier life afforded, and as the years
have gone by he has lived to see the many improvements wrought by time
and man and has borne his full share in the work of public progress.
ALFRED C. STANLEY.
Among those who constitute the personnel of business interests in Rock
Falls is numbered Alfred C. Stanley, well known as a merchant and as super-
intendent of the wood department for the International Harvester Company.
A gentleman of resourceful ability, he has always recognized that the present
and not the future holds the opportunity and that advancement depends upon
the wise use to which the passing moment is put. Gradually he has worked
his way upward until he has become a forceful factor in mercantile and in-
dustrial circles in this city.
He was born in Naperville township, Dupage county, Illinois, September
10, 1844, his parents being Urbin D. and Octavia (Crampton) Stanley, both
of whom were natives of New England, the former born in Vermont and the
latter in Connecticut. The Stanley family is an old one of that section of the
country. The ancestry is English, but at an early day representatives of the
name came to America, Joel Stanley, the paternal grandfather, was born in
Vermont, where he lived until after his marriage and then removed westward
to Ohio, settling near Cleveland, where he followed the occupation of farming.
He was twice married and died at the age of eighty-five years. The maternal
grandfather of our subject was David Crampton, who was a native of Con-
necticut and of English lineage. He came west with his son at an early day
and settled in Dupage county, Illinois, where he died when more than eighty-
four years of age. His wife was Mrs. Julia Crampton.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 869
Urbin D. Stanley accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where
he remained until coming to Illinois in 1832. He was a farmer by occupa-
tion and following his arrival in this state settled in Dupage county, which at
that time was a largely unimproved and undeveloped district. Only six years
before had the Black Hawk war occurred and there were still many evidences
of Indian occupancy in this part of the state traces of the red men who for
long years had wandered over this section of the country. Mr. Stanley pur-
chased a tract of raw land of one hundred and thirty acres and began the im-
provement and development of the farm which he continued to operate until
his death, at the age of forty-four years, his demise resulting from the kick
of a horse. His wife survived him for some time and passed away at the age
of sixty-five years. Both were members of the Congregational church. Their
family numbered six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom three
are now living: Lucy, the wife of David Jenkins, of Hubbell, Nebraska; Al-
fred C. ; and Emma M., the wife of Morris Carnes, of Aurora, Illinois. The
three who have passed away were Fidelia, the wife of Albert Brown ; Howard,
who died in Dupage county; and Julia, who was the wife of Dr. Thomas
Eckles.
Alfred C. Stanley was reared in Dupage county, Illinois, upon his father's
farm, early becoming acquainted with the duties and labors that fall to the
lot of the agriculturist. He attended the district schools and the Naperville
Seminary in the acquirement of his education, and following the early death
of his father, the management and development of the home farm devolved
upon him between the ages of thirteen and twenty-three years. At length, how-
ever, he resolved to follow some other pursuit than that of agriculture and
leaving the farm he entered the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad at Aurora, continuing with that company for four years. For a
time he was in the car department and during the last year and a half was in
the passenger coach department. In 1873 he came to Rock Falls, where he
followed the carpenter's trade for a year, on the expiration of which period
he secured employment in a coffin factory. His capability was so noteworthy
that at the end of ten months he was given charge of the shop and made a
new set of patterns for the shop. For five years he was connected with the
business as a salaried representative, after which he continued in the manu-
facture of coffins under contract for four years. On the expiration of that
period, with the capital acquired through his industry and careful expenditure,
he established a grocery store, which he conducted for twenty-one consecutive
years, his long continuance with the trade indicating his success and grow-
ing patronage. Later his sons, Walter and Earl, took charge of the business,
which they conducted until the fall of 1907, when Walter Stanley retired
and A. C. Stanley again became active in its management in association with
his son Earl. For the past year he has also been foreman of the wood depart-
ment for the International Harvester Company, which employs in all of its
departments at thi? place about two hundred and fifty men.
On the 27th of September, 1866, Mr. Stanley was married to Miss Hattie
Terry, a daughter of Samuel Terry, and unto them was born a son, Harry,
who was an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, being advanced to that
870 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
position when but twenty-two years of age. At the age of twenty-four he was
killed in a railroad wreck, leaving a wife, who bore the maiden name of Kate
Brennan, and one son, Alfred. Mrs. Hattie Stanley died in 1871 and Mr.
Stanley afterward wedded Miss Florence Lilly, a daughter of Edward and
Lois (Townsend) Lilly. They have four children: Walter, Earl, Lois and
Howard. The first named, who married Laura Wooley, is now engaged in
merchandising in Seattle, Washington. Earl wedded Myrtle Wall and is his
father's partner in business. Lois and Howard are still at home.
Mrs. Stanley is connected with the Christian Science church. Mr. Stan-
ley belongs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ; Sterling Chapter.
No. 57, R. A. M. ; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T.; and Medinah Temple
of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Chicago. He is also connected with the
Odd Fellows as a member of Advance Lodge, No. 590, I. O. O. F., and politi-
cally he is a republican. In 1888 he built a beautiful home at No. 301 East
Third street, where he and his family reside. He has also erected his store
building and the Whitney Hotel and has put up other buildings in Rock
Falls which have contributed in substantial measure to its material develop-
ment. In addition to his other interests, he is a stockholder and director in
the First National Bank of this city and in community affairs he has done ef-
fective work as the champion of all interests and measures calculated to promote
public progress, municipal virtue and the interests of the community at large.
He was village trustee for one term, was president of the school board for two
terms, and that he proved a most capable supervisor is indicated by the fact
that he filled that office for ten years. In a review of his life record it will
be found that his methods have ever been such as will bear the closest scrutiny,
that he has won advancement through following out well defined plans, and
that in the execution of his purpose he has shown strong determination, yield-
ing at no point where honorable, persistent effort could win success.
JAMES BRODERICK.
Nature seems to have intended that the evening of life shall be a period
of rest, and he who carefully and intelligently directs his labors through the
years of early manhood and mature life and avoids reckless expenditure can
acquire a competence that will provide for the wants of old age without re-
course to further labor. Mr. Broderick was for a long period connected with
the farming interests of Whiteside county but he is now enjoying a well
merited rest at his home in Sterling, where he has lived since 1901.
He was born in the parish of Turanena, in County Waterford, Ireland, in
1831, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Whalen) Broderick, both of
whom were natives of Ireland. The father conducted an extensive black-
smithing business and also owned a farm in Ireland but wishing to do still
better by his family came to America in 1850. attracted by the larger oppor-
tunities for business activity and success. With his wife and children he
sailed for the new world and spent one summer in the state of New York, but
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 871
in the fall of that year made his way westward to the Mississippi valley, set-
tling near Maysville. Kentucky, where he lived retired, while his sons were in
the railroad service there. In the spring of 1855 he came with his family to
Illinois, locating in Ogle county, where for three years he made his home near
Polo. He next came to AVhiteside county, settling in Clyde township, where
he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land. Here his attention was
given to the supervision of his farming interests, which were carefully managed
and brought him a very gratifying financial return. He died when almost
ninety years of age. His wife, who was much younger, survived him for
about fifteen years and was eighty years of age at the time of her demise.
Their family numbered eight children, three sons and five daughters: Jo-
hanna, the wife of Morris Herbert, of Polo, Illinois ; Mary, the wife of Thomas
Sheehan, of Chicago; Ellen, the widow of William Mooney, of Sterling;
John, a retired farmer living in Morrison, this state; James Broderick, of
this review; and Margaret, Bridget and Patrick, who are now deceased.
Little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family. The pater-
nal grandfather died in Ireland but beyond that there is no record concern-
ing the Brodericks. The maternal grandfather was James Whalen, a wealthy
farmer of Ireland, who died there at an old age. He was twice married and
the only child of the first union was Mrs. Mary (Whalen) Broderick.
James Broderick was reared as a farmer boy and throughout his busi-
ness career followed agricultural pursuits. He began his education in the
schools of Ireland and later in the school of experience learned many valua-
ble and practical lessons. He was a young man when he went to Ogle county
and with his father he remained until the latter's death, after which the es-
tate was divided, the three sons each inheriting eighty acres of land- in Clyde
township. James Broderick located upon the farm which thus came into
his possession and as his financial resources increased he added to it eighty
acres of prairie land and twenty acres of timber, so that he had an excellent
farm of one hundred and eighty acres. To its further development and im-
provement he devoted his energies and brought the fields under a high state
of cultivation, annually gathering rich harvests as a reward for the care and
labor he bestowed upon them. He continued to successfully carry on farm-
ing until the spring of 1901, when he sold the old homestead and removed to
Sterling, where he has since lived retired, his home being at No. 107 Fifth
avenue.
In 1861 Mr. Broderick was united in marriage to Miss Ann Meehan, who
was born in Oneida county, New York, a daughter of John Meehan. They
became the parents of five children : Thomas, who died at the age of four
years; Mary, the wife of Edward Junker, a resident of Chicago, by whom she
has four children, George, Ruth, and Myrtle and Ivy, twins; James, who is in
the real-estate business in Sterling and wedded Margaret Flynn, by whom he
has five living children, Leo, Frank. Herbert, Leonard and Pearl ; Thomas, who
is also engaged in the real-estate business in Sterling; and John, who resides
at Fessenclcn, North Dakota, where he conducts a hotel and also owns land.
He married Theresa Junker. In August. 1872, Mr. Broderick was called upon
to mourn the loss of his wife, who was a member of the Catholic church, and
872 HISTORY OF WHITESID.E COUNTY
two years later he married Miss Catherine McManus. There is one child by
this marriage, Ella, who is now acting as her father's housekeeper, for the
mother died in July, 1882, at the age of fifty-six years, in the faith of the
Catholic church, of which Mr. Broderick is also a member.
HLs political support is given to the democracy. He is an honored and high-
ly respected citizen, always industrious, and by good management and hard
work he became the owner of a valuable property and won a gratifying com-
petence for old age. He has lived an honest and upright life and well de-
serves mention in this volume.
ANTHONY W. BASTIAN.
Anthony W. Bastian, sole proprietor of the Fulton Journal, a semi-
weekly independent paper, was born in Geauga county, Ohio, June 26, 1846.
His parents were Van S. and Ann E. Bastian, with whom he removed to
Rochester, New York, in 1850. He acquired his primary education in the
schools of that city, passing through consecutive grades until 1861, when he
became a resident of Prophetstown, Whiteside county, Illinois. He after-
ward engaged in teaching school here and at a later day removed to Bureau
county, Illinois. Being ambitious to acquire a more thorough and compre-
hensive education, he made his plans to this end. His financial circum-
stances did not justify the necessary expense until he personally had earned
the money with which to pay his way through college. He did this by
teaching school and working at farm labor and when he had secured a
sufficient sum of money he matriculated in Dover College, where he remained
for three terms, and also spent two terms as a student in Wheaton College.
Thus constantly broadening his knowledge, he was at length enabled to
successfully pass the required examination for a state certificate. It was not
until after his marriage, however, that he attended Wheaton College. For
some time he was closely associated with educational interests in this section
of the state. He taught the Yorktown school and also organized and graded
the Tampico school and served as principal for seven years.
In 1881 Mr. Bastian came to Fulton and purchased a half interest in
the Journal office, of which he is now sole proprietor. He has since given
his attention to the conduct of the paper and the history of the Journal
under his direction indicates his capable management and his ability in this
field of activity. Strict business principles are followed in carrying on the
paper. In its mechanical construction it is most attractive, while its contents
make it a most readable sheet.
Mr. Bastian was married in Yorktown, Illinois, March 4, 1872, to Miss
Eva A. Patterson, a daughter of Orin and Lucy M. (Chubbuck) Patterson.
Mrs. Bastian was born in Bureau county, Illinois, and by her marriage be-
came the mother of one son, Sidney A., who was born December 15, 1875,
and died in 1893.
Mr. Bastian has been prominent and influential in the public life of
Fulton and served for two terms as mayor and for two terms as city clerk.
A. W. BASTIAN
LIBHAHY
OF TH
!W.VEF.8ITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 875
He was also chairman of the democratic county committee for two terms and
for one term a member of the democratic state central committee. He also
served as a member of the board of directors of the Modern Woodmen of
America and was editor of the official organ of the society for two years. He
is now today busily engaged in editing and publishing a paper which had its
first issue on the 25th of February, 1854, and which for more than a half
century has been a factor in molding public opinion in Fulton and White-
side county. He is a man of strong intellectual force and keen discernment
and his editorials usually present a clear, unbiased view of any vital situation
and point out the possibilities for accomplishment in connection therewith.
WILLIAM PENN PALMER.
William Penn Palmer is one of Sterling's well known citizens, serving as
justice of the peace and city engineer, at the same time conducting a good in-
surance business with a desirable and growing clientage. He was born near
Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1846. His pater-
nal grandfather, Michael Palmer, also a native of the Keystone state, was a
farmer by occupation. Both he and his wife lived to old age and reared a
family of three sons and several daughters, including Jonas Palmer, who was
born in Pennsylvania and in early life became a clerk in a dry-goods store
at Erie, that state. He afterward took charge of one of his father's farms
near Chambersburg and his remaining days were spent in that locality, where
he died in 1892, when more than seventy years of age. He married Cath-
erine Flack, who died in 1886 at the age of seventy years. They were mem-
bers of the English branch of the German Reformed church. Mrs. Palmer
was a daughter of Christian Flack, who was born near Chambersburg, Penn-
sylvania, and was a tanner by trade. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Palmer were
born ten children, six sons and four daughters: Margaret, the widow of
Augustus Keefer, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; William Penn, of this
review; Charles F., of Chambersburg; Emma, the wife of Charles Dietrick, of
St. Thomas, Pennsylvania; Katie, the wife of John Mish, living near Mercers-
burg, Pennsylvania; Franklin, of Mansfield, Ohio; David D., of Modesta, Cal-
ifornia ; George and Harry, both deceased ; and one who died in infancy.
William Penn Palmer spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of
farm lads upon the farm in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and attended the
district schools, while later he continued his studies in Iron City College at
Pittsburg, from which he was graduated. Subsequently he went to Chambers-
burg, where he engaged in the grain and coal business under the firm style of
Kcefer, Palmer & Company for several years. In 1877 he came to Sterling
and had charge of the lumber and grain business for the firm of Langford
& Hall until he embarked in business on his own account in the same line.
He was thus connected with the trade interests of the city for a number of
years. Subsequently he was chosen justice of the peace and was also employed
by the city for a number of years as city engineer and superintendent of
876 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
streets. His public service has been characterized by an unfaltering devotion
to the general good and has won for him the unqualified endorsement and
approval of those who are cognizant of the work he has done in public office.
At the present writing, in 1908, he is also serving as township and as city
assessor, which office he has filled for the past five years. He served for sev-
eral terms as a member of the city council, representing what was then the
fourth ward. He has also been a member of the Wallace school board for a
number of years and his duties have ever been discharged with a singleness
of purpose that has regarded only the best interests of the public at large.
Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Margaret Rutt, a daughter of Michael
and Mary (Baer) Rutt, who were natives of Pennsylvania and came with the
Palmers to Sterling in 1877. They had one son and one daughter, John and
Margaret. Both parents are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have
been born two daughters and a son. Bertie is the wife of E. V. Crumb, of
Rockford, Illinois, and they have three children, Helen, Burritt and William
Palmer Crumb. Minnie is the wife of Ralph Copeland, of Rockford, Illinois.
John G. is a civil engineer in the employ of the United States government and
lives at Washington, D. C. He married Bertie Wilkins, of Tiskilwa, Illinois,
and they have two children, Catharine and William Wilkins.
Mr. and Mrs. Palmer were originally members of the German Reformed
church but as there was no organization of that denomination in Sterling they
placed their membership in the Presbyterian church here. They reside at No.
308 Avenue G, where Mr. Palmer erected a good residence about 1894. His
political allegiance is given unfalteringly to the republican party, while fra-
ternally he is connected with Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ;
Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M.; and Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T.
For more than thirty years he has resided in Sterling and is well known here
as a man of many friends a fact indicative of the good qualities he has dis-
played in public and private life.
CONRAD HARMS.
Conrad Harms dates his residence in Whiteside county from 1866. Ar-
riving here in July, of that year, he took up his abode on section 3, Hopkins
township, and in the intervening years has been connected with agricultural
interests in the county. He was born in Jever, Germany, October 22, 1838.
His father, J. C. Harms, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, was born in 1804
and reached the age of seventy-four years, passing away in 1878, his remains
being interred in the cemetery of the Lutheran church of Oldenburg.
Throughout his entire business career he followed tailoring in the town of
Jever. In 1836 he was married to Miss Catherine Miller and unto them were
born six children: Conrad, of this review; Carl, who died in 1876; Carl, the
second of the name, who died in 1878 ; Anna, Minnie, who died in 1868 ; and
Fredericka, who is residing in Sterling and is the wife of Louis Sunderman,
identified with the business interests of the citv. The mother of this family
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 877
was born in 1809 and died in 1849, her grave also being made in the Luth-
eran church cemetery of Oldenburg.
Conrad Harms, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the
common schools but his opportunities in that direction were somewhat lim-
ited, for at a very early age he went to work on a farm. He was first em-
ployed by Henry Hayungs, near Jever, Germany, and continued in that line
of activity until thirty-four years of age. His skill and efficiency gradually
increasing, his wages were also enlarged proportionately in accordance with
the scale of wages paid in his native country, but feeling that he would have
better opportunities in the new world, he resolved to come to America and
seek his fortune in the United States. Accordingly, he made the voyage
across the Atlantic in 1866 and, as stated, arrived in Whiteside county in July
of that year. He has since been identified with the agricultural interests of
this portion of the state and now makes his home on section 8, Sterling town-
ship, where he owns one of the best improved farms of Whiteside county, for
which he paid eighty-five dollars per acre seven years ago. This has since
increased in value owing to the natural advance in prices and also owing to
the improvements which he has made upon it.
In 1875 Mr. Harms was married to Miss Mary Tiarks, of Hooksiel, Ger-
many, a daughter of Fred and Christine (Remners) Tiarks. Her mother
was born in Jever, Germany, in 1809 and departed this life in 1887. The
father was born about 1805 in Jever and passed away in 1885. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Harms have been born seven children : Mary Catherine is the wife
of George Onken, a resident of Whiteside county. Jacob Fred married Alice
Kophammer, a native of Whiteside county. Charlie wedded Margaret Boesen,
who is living in this county. Anna is the wife of Ed. Mieners, also living in
Whiteside county. Henry and Will are at home. They also lost one child,
Charlie Conrad, who died in 1887.
Mr. Harms possesses many of the sterling characteristics of the German
race. He possesses the energy and determination which lead to success and also
the resolute spirit which promises effective effort in the business world. He
has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the
United States, for here he has found the opportunities which he desired and
riot only gained a comfortable competency but has also won the respect and
good will of a large majority of those with whom he has been brought in con-
tact. He has found here a pleasant home and many friends and is thoroughly
content with his adopted country.
EDWARD 0. HILLS.
Edward 0. Hills is a member of the firm conducting an extensive hot-
house business at Fulton and their enterprise is the leading one of this char-
acter in the place. He has wrought out his success along well defined lines of
labor, his energy and determination being the salient features in his business
career. His birth occurred in Sterling, Whiteside county, Illinois, August
878 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
29, 1867, his parents being Josiah and Lavina (Hill) Hills, who came to
Whiteskle county at an early day, probably about 1860. They settled in Ster-
ling and the father, who was a tanner by trade, established one of the first,
if not the first, tanneries of Sterling, a business which he conducted success-
fully for a long period. He not only did the tanning but converted the
leather into a finished product, for which he found a ready sale on the mar-
ket. He was located at Sparta, Illinois, from 1871 until 1877, when he
turned to Sterling, where he continued business in the same line in which he
had formerly been engaged. This he followed until about 1881, or 1882, when
he retired from that field of activity. He afterward established a dairy busi-
ness, which he conducted with success until 1895. He then retired from all
active work and removed to Tallapoosa. Georgia, where he resided until 1899.
In that year he again came to Illinois and established his home in Morrison,
where he is now residing in his eightieth year, enjoying remarkable health for
one of his age, for he is a splendidly preserved man. On the 25th of January,
1908, for the first time in thirty years he was obliged to call in the services
of a physician. His wife died September 17, 1906, at the age of seventy-four
years. They were the parents of five children, four of whom reached adult
age; Ella; Cora, the wife of Clarence B. Pierce, of Ustick township, this coun-
ty; E. 0. and Fred A., who is a member of the firm of Hills Brothers & Kirman.
Edward 0. Hills pursued his education in the schools of Sterling and at
the age of twenty-two years secured a position in the office of the city engi-
neer and while thus engaged gained a comprehensive knowledge of civil
engineering. He has since followed that business in connection with other
enterprises and in 1902 was elected county surveyor, to which office he was
re-elected in 1904. In this position his knowledge of civil engineering and
surveying was called into constant use and that his service was capable and ef-
fective is indicated by the fact that he was chosen for a second term. Previ-
ous to his election to the office which he now holds he was during 1897 and
1898 employed by the government, having charge of a crew of men in mak-
ing geological surveys through the states of Utah and Wyoming. In 1900 he
was employed as inspector by the government of the Hennepin feeder to the
main canal running through this county. About 1897 he was appointed city
engineer of Morrison, a position which he filled until 1908, when his other
interests became of so much importance that he felt that he could no longer
afford to give the necessary time to his official duties of civil engineer and
withdrew from the office.
In 1905 Mr. Hills in company with L. G. MacKinzie established a busi-
ness for the production of hothouse plants and vegetables. Mr. MacKinzie
afterward sold his interest to Fred A. Hills and our subject and in 1907 John
E. Kirman, a .brother-in-law, purchased an interest in the business which
now conducted under the firm style of Hills Brothers & Kirman. This firm
makes a specialty of growing hothouse cucumbers and tomatoes. Their busi-
ness has reached extensive proportions and is now one of the profitable enter-
prises of Fulton.
Mr. Hills was married in 1896 to Miss Alice Kirman, of Morrison, a
daughter of Mrs. Mary Kirman, one of the early settlers of this county, and a
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 879
sister of John E. Kirman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hills hold membership in the
Universalist church. Politically he is a republican and fraternally is con-
nected with Grove Lodge, No. 50, T. 0. 0. F. He has led a very busy and use-
ful life, his varied interests making constant demand upon his time and
attention and throughout his career he has made that steady progress which
is the outcome of close application, determination and ability.
GEORGE M. ADAIR.
George M. Adair, following the occupation of farming in Coloma town-
ship, his time and energies being devoted to the improvement of an excellent
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, was born in Monroe, Green county, Wis-
consin. November 10, 1855. His parents were George and Martha (Simpkins)
Adair, both of whom were natives of Canada, whence they removed to Wis-
consin about 1853. The father was a blacksmith by trade. He lived at home
until sixteen years of age and then served a two years' apprenticeship at
blacksmithing, after which he followed the trade as a journeyman for six
years. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings, so that on the expira-
tion of that period he was enabled to embark in business on his own account,
opening a shop in Canada. When two years had passed he removed to Wis-
consin, where he established himself in his trade, remaining there until 1860.
He afterward went to Michigan, where he continued until the fall of 1871,
when he returned to Wisconsin and acquired the same business he had left
there. Later he again sold out and removed to Moline, Illinois, where he
engaged in blacksmithing for two years. In 1879 he came to Rock Falls,
where he opened a smithy and as the result of his efficient workmanship in
his chosen occupation soon gained a liberal and growing patronage that
brought to him a comfortable competence. Here he prospered and remained
until his death, which occurred in 1907. He was a son of John and Anna
(Teezel) Adair, who were natives of New Jersey. Further than this noth-
ing is known concerning the ancestral history of the family.
George M. Adair accompanied his parents on their various removals
during the days of his boyhood and youth and acquired a public-school edu-
cation. When twenty-one years of age he started out upon an independent
business career, working for the Keystone Manufacturing Company at Rock
Falls. That he was capable, energetic and faithful is plainly indicated by the
fact that his connection with that company covered the period from 1876 until
1905. He worked his way upward from one position to another, each bring-
ing added responsibilities, and for some time served as foreman. After sever-
ing his connection with the Keystone Company in 1905 he invested his sav-
ings in the farm which he now occupies, comprising one hundred and sixty
acres of rich and productive land, all now in fine condition. His fields are
well cultivated, bringing forth productive crops. In the midst of the farm
stands a beautiful country residence with pleasant surroundings and there are
also commodious barns and outbuildings giving ample shelter for grain and
880 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
stock. Everything about the place. indicates his enterprising spirit and his
labors have brought to him a satisfactory reward since taking up the work of
the fields. He. is justly accounted one of the representative agriculturists of
the community and his farm yearly' returns to him rich crops.
On the 14th of September, 1886, Mr. Adair was married to Miss Hat-
tie Adkins, a daughter of Buford D. and Margaret F. (Bivens) Adkins, who
were natives of Kentucky, born near Louisville. The father went to Missouri
at. any early day, settling in Platte county. Two children have been born
unto Mr. and Mrs. Adair, Willie and Stanley. The family are well known in
Rock Falls and in Coloma township, where they have an extensive circle of
warm friends.
JACOB WETZELL, JR.
Jacob Wetzell, Jr., is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and
seventy-two acres situated on section 9, Genesee township. It is a rich and
productive tract of land, splendidly improved with every modern convenience
and accessory known to the model farm of the twentieth century. It was in
Genesee township that Jacob Wetzell first opened his eyes to the light of day
on the 15th of May, 1856, his parents being Jacob and Susan (Bidler) Wet-
zell. The father was a native of Stark county, Ohio, born September 12, 1814,
while the mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania on the 27th of September,
1815. They arrived in Illinois in 1855 and soon afterward the father in-
vested in land in Whiteside county, where he continued to make his home until
his demise. For almost a half century he lived within its borders and wit-
nessed its transformation as it took on all of the evidences of a modern and
progressive civilization, becoming one of the rich agricultural districts of
the state, while in its midst sprang up important industrial and commercial
concerns that constitute the elements of a city's growth and prosperity. He
died January 5, 1902, and his wife passed away later in the same year. They
were the parents of ten children, namely : Henry, of Whiteside county ;
Sarah, the wife of N. H. Buntley, of Carroll county, Illinois; Elizabeth, who
became the wife of J. B. Overholser and resides in Sterling; Samuel, also of
Sterling; Mary, the wife of B. F. Buntley, of Genesee township; Catherine,
the wife of William Peugh ; Frank, deceased ; Jacob, of this review ; and Caro-
line and an infant, who are likewise deceased.
Ih early boyhood Jacob Wetzell was sent as a pupil to the public schools
and thereby acquired his education. During the periods of vacation he was
trained in the work of the home farm and lessons concerning the value of in-
dustry, enterprise and integrity were early impressed on his mind. He re-
mained on the old home farm until thirty-four years of age, when he was
married, the lady of his choice being Miss Julia Kennedy, who was born in
Whiteside county, November 26, 1859, a daughter of William and Emeline
(Bailey) Kennedy. The father was born in Washington county, New
York, October 8, 1828, while the mother's birth occurred in the Empire state
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 881
on the 14th of August, 1840. They were, the parents of eight children : Mary,
deceased; Mrs. Wetzell; Harold, of Clyde township; Jefferson, who resides in
Missouri ; Harvey, of Whiteside county ; Lydia, the wife of J. M. Morrison, of
Texas; Cora, at home; and one who died in infancy. The mother has now
passed away but the fa.ther still survives. He lost his wife in 1888.
Following his marriage Mr. Wetzell purchased one hundred and seventy-
two acres 'of land on section 9, Genesee township, and it has since been his
home. It now constitutes one of the linest farms of the county and in its
midst stands a palatial and beautiful country residence, built in modern style
of architecture and containing fourteen rooms. It is supplied with all the
latest conveniences and equipments and every necessary outbuilding for the
shelter of grain and stock is also found upon the place. These have been
built with a view to convenience and the farm is splendidly equipped. In
addition to tilling the soil in the production of crops best adapted to climatic
conditions here, Mr. Wetzell also makes a specialty of raising Poland China
hogs.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wetzell have been born five children : Harold, now
deceased; Frank and Leslie, in school; Glynn and Lyle, at home. The par-
ents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wetzell
votes with the republican party and for several years has served as school direc-
tor, the cause of public education finding in him a warm champion. Other-
wise he has never held nor desired public office, for he feels that his farming
interests make full claim upon his time and energies. That he has prospered
as the years have passed is indicated in the appearance of his beautiful home
and well kept farm, while throughout the county it is a well known fact that
his name is an honored one on commercial paper.
JOHN AGGEN.
John Aggen, extensively engaged in raising vegetables in Fulton, was
born in Holland on the 3d of March, 1858, a son of John and Ledena (Wier-
sema) Aggen, who died in that country. In 1878 John Aggen crossed the
Atlantic to the United States, locating in Chicago, where he was employed as
a farm hand for three years. On the expiration of that period, in association
with his brothers, he engaged in gardening on leased land, following that line
<>f activity for twenty-two years in and near the western metropolis. Arriving
in Fulton, Whiteside county, in 1903, he here established the first hothouse
devoted to the production of lettuce, onions and other vegetables in this part
of the state. His present plant was erected in 1906 and is one of the most
extensive in the entire county, Mr. Aggen having spent some twenty-five
hundred dollars in perfecting the establishment, which cannot be excelled in
the beauty of its surroundings. It is located in one of the most desirable spots
in the town of Fulton, being near the busineas center and not far from Lyons
and Clinton, Iowa. As previously stated, Mr. Aggen arrived in this country
in 1878, handicapped by a lack of funds and unfamiliarity with the English
language. In spite of these serious disadvantages he resolutely set to work,
882 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
eventually winning that measure of success which is always the reward of
unremitting industry and indefatigable energy, supplemented by sound judg-
ment and keen discrimination in business affairs.
Mr. Aggen has been married twice. He was first wedded in Chicago, in
1886, to Miss Grace Dyhuis, of that city, a daughter of Peter Dyhuis. She
passed away in 1891, leaving one son, John, and in 1892 our subject was again
married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Wilkins, nee Muldimaker,
a native of Holland. Her parents, also natives of that country, emigrated to
America in 1882, locating in Fulton, where the father's death occurred in
1891," while his wife survived him until May, 1903. Mrs. Aggen has three
living children by her first husband : Glaus ; Josie, the wife of Jacob Wierse-
ma; and Cornelius. By her present marriage she has two children, Tessie
and Render.
Mr. Aggen is independent in politics, and, though he generally votes the
republican ticket, does not consider himself bound by party ties, always cast-
ing his ballot for the candidate whom he believes best qualified for office.
Both he and his wife are members of the Dutch Reformed Church of America
and are highly esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine per-
sonal worth and sterling traits of heart and mind. The hope that led him to
leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized.
He found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open
to the ambitious, energetic man, and making the best of these he has stead-
ily worked his way upward, his name being now enrolled among the pros-
perous and enterprising residents of Whiteside county.
WILLIAM F. GOULD.
Through the years of an active business career William F. Gould fol-
lowed farming and carpentering, but is now living retired in Sterling, his
prosperity in former years supplying him with the necessities and comforts
and some of the luxuries of life. He has long since passed the Psalmist's
span of three score years and ten, his birth having occurred in Bradford
county, Pennsylvania, July 20, 1829. In both the paternal and maternal
lines he represents old families of the Empire state. His two grandfathers,
William Gould and Gideon De Groff, were natives of New York, were farm-
ers by occupation and lived to old age. Tobias Gould, father of our subject,
was born in Saratoga county, New York, was reared to agricultural pursuits
and made farming his life work. Removing to Pennsylvania, he settled in
Bradford county, where he conducted a farm and also filled the office of
county sheriff for a time. In early manhood he married Diana De Groff,
likewise a native of Saratoga county, New York. His death occurred in
1831 and his widow afterward married Samuel Scott. By her first marriage
she had three sons and a daughter, of whom only William F. Gould is now
living. By her second husband she had two daughters, one of whom has
nassed away, while Mary Jane Scott is now the widow of Charles Avers and
resides in Sheldon, Iowa.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
WILLIAM F. GOULD
MRS. WILLIAM F. GOULD
LIBRARY
OF TH
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 887
William F. Gould was only about eighteen months old when his father
died. He lived with his mother to the age of fourteen years and acquired
a common-school education. He then traveled westward by steamer to Wis-
consin, settling in what was then Racine county, but is now Kenosha county.
This was in 1844. A few years later he returned to the Empire state, taking
up his abode in the town of Cato, Cayuga county, where he learned and fol-
lowed the trade of a carpenter and joiner, being identified with building
operations in the east for a number of years. In 1858 he came to Illinois,
settling in Whiteside county, and for a time worked at his trade, after which
he purchased a farm of forty-eight acres in Jordan township, on which a
small frame house had been erected by the first settler, he being the second
to locate there. Subsequently he bought forty acres more from the Illinois
Central Railroad and still later another forty-acre tract from Joseph Sowles.
He improved all this, bringing the land under a high state of cultivation, his
fields producing rich crops of cereals best adapted to soil and climate. Upon
that place he made his home until 1882, when he rented his farm and took
up his abode in Sterling, where he has since made his home. He followed
his trade until about 1904, since which time he has lived retired. He was
thus for twenty-two years identified with building operations in Sterling,
and many substantial structures of the city are an indication of his handi-
work and skill. He now owns a good home at No. 208 East Seventh street,
two other residences and still other town property.
The lady who now bears his name and whom he wedded on the 14th of
April, 1853, was in her maidenhood Miss Mary A. Davis, a daughter of Esek
and Charlotte (Ward) Davis. The former was a son of Ichabod Davis, who
removed from Argyle to New Haven, New York, and there died at an ad-
vanced age, while his wife, Peace Davis, passed away in middle life. They
were the parents of ten children. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Gould
were Adam and Sarah Ward. The former was one of the patriots of the
American army in the Revolutionary war and lived in Saratoga, New York.
Esek Davis was a native of Argyle and his wife of Saratoga county, New
York. They removed to New Haven, Oswego county, that state, where Mrs.
Gould was born April 2, 1830. There the parents remained for some time
and then went to Cayuga county, where her father died at the venerable age
of ninety-seven years, while his wife reached the age of eighty-one years.
They were the parents of nine children, four daughters and five sons, but
only three are now living: Mrs. Mary A. Gould; Martin L., of Cayuga
county, New York ; and Elizabeth E, the widow of John Laird and now a
resident of Cayuga county, New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Gould have but two children. The elder, Charles W.
Gould, who is conducting a typewriter exchange in Seattle, Washington,
married Etta Depell, now deceased, and to them were born three children,
Mabel, Edna and William J. After losing his first wife Charles W. Gould
wedded Nettie Dudley. Frank E. Gould is a traveling salesman living in
Chicago and married Margaret Tighe, by whom he has one child, Frank E.
Mr. and Mrs. Gould are members of the Baptist church and are much
esteemed as people of genuine worth. He is a veteran of the Civil war, hav-
888 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ing enlisted on the 14th of March, 1865, as a member of Company E, Thirty-
fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of
hostilities. He was on detailed duty most of the time and after the war re-
turned to his farm. He is now a member of AVilliam Robinson Post, G. A.
R., of Sterling. He has been one of the world's workers and his diligence
and persistency of purpose constitute the basis upon which he has builded
the success that now enables him to live retired.
JOHN G. LOOS.
John G. Loos, who since 1892 has been engaged in the plumbing and
steam-fitting business in Sterling, his place of business being at No. 122 West
Third street, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to this
state. He was born in Wurtemberg, on the 30th of June, 1849, a son of Mar-
tin and Christina (Glasser) Loos, both of whom were natives of the father-
land. The father was a cooper by trade and followed that business at Unter-
Riexingen, which was the place of his birth, and there he spent his entire life,
passing away in 1888, at the age of seventy-seven years. The wife and
mother was born in 1814 and died in 1900, when she was more than eighty-
six years of age. Both the parents were members of the Lutheran church.
John G. Loos of this review is one of a family of six children and was
reared in the' fatherland to the age of nineteen years. He there acquired a
good common-school education, after which he learned the cooper's trade, which
he followed until 1880. In 1868, having heard favorable reports concerning
the opportunities and advantages to be enjoyed in the new world, he crossed
the Atlantic, and upon reaching American shores at once made his way to
Belvidere. Illinois, where he remained for fifteen months. He then went to
Chicago, spending his time there until the spring of 1872, subsequent to
which time he removed to Sterling, arriving here in June of that year. He
first engaged in the cooperage business in this city, following that occupation
until 1880, after which he followed the carpenter's trade for ten years. In
1892 he embarked in the plumbing and steam-fitting business, in which he has
built up a good trade, so that he is today numbered among the prominent
and progressive business men of Sterling. He has a well equipped establish-
ment at No. 122 West Third street. His success is well merited, for he ever
follows the most honorable methods in his business relations, being prompt
and faithful to the terms of a contract, so that he has won the confidence and
good will of all with whom he has had business dealings.
Mr. Loos was married on the 4th of September, 1870, to Miss Minnie
Kruse, a daughter of Charles and Fred Kruse, who were natives of Prussia and
emigrated to America in 1865, at which time they settled in Chicago, Illinois.
Of their family of six children, three of the number still survive. Mr. Kruse
passed away in Chicago, at the age of sixty-eight years, having been preceded
by his wife, who died several years prior to his demise.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Loos has been blessed with ten children,
seven sons and three daughters: John A., Carl C., Emma C., Fred 0., Albert,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 889
Henry, Minnie, William, Anna, and Walter. John A., like his father, is en-
gaged in the plumbing business. He wedded Dora Deusch, of Sterling, by
whom he has three sons, Harry, Arthur and Lester. Carl C., also engaged in
the plumbing business, wedded Christina Brandlin, by whom he has a son,
Paul. Emma C. is the wife of Samuel Landis and has one daughter, Ruth.
Fred 0., a plumber, married Christina Esslinger. Minnie is the wife of L. C.
Good, of Dixon, Illinois, by whom she has a daughter, Bernice. The other
members of the family, Albert, Henry, William, Anna and Walter, are still
under the parental roof.
The parents are members of St. John's Lutheran church, while Mr. Loos
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No.
174, at Sterling. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and
he served for one term as a member of the city council. In 1873 he erected
a nice home at No. 805 West Seventh street, which he has occupied to the
present time. His enterprising and progressive spirit have made him a
typical American in every sense of the word. By close application and good
business judgment he has raised himself to the position which he now holds
in the business world and he commands the high regard of all with whom he
is brought in contact, whether in a business or social relation.
OLIVER S. OAKLEY.
Oliver S. Oakley, whose span of life covered three score years and ten,
was born near Stockholm, Sweden, February 7, 1836, and died October 13,
1906." His parents were Swan and Christiana (Jensen) Oakley, who lived and
died in Sweden. There the son Oliver was reared to the age of eighteen
years, when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and came to Whiteside
county with a sister, Mrs. Mary B. Oakleaf. The tracks of the Chicago &
Northwestern Railroad were then being laid and he was employed as water
boy upon the road between Round Grove and Morrison. Desiring to secure a
more advanced education than had been afforded in his native country and
wishing to familiarize himself with the English language, he attended school
"at Garden Plain and also spent some time as a student in the college at Ful-
ton. During the greater part of his life he followed farming and entered in-
to active connection with agricultural interests as a farm hand, being thus
employed until 1862. He then began to cultivate a rented farm and in 1869
went to Iowa, where he remained for six years, making his home in Cedar
county. There he purchased and cultivated a good farm of three hundred
and twenty acres near Tipton until the spring of 1875, when he sold his
property there and returned to Whiteside county, here purchasing an exten-
sive tract of rich land.
On the 3d of January, 1865, Mr. Oakley was united in marriage to Miss
Jennie Maxwell, who was born in Scotland in 1844 and came to Whiteside
county with an uncle, James Cassel, in 1856, locating in Morrison. He owned
a farm where the Center schoolhouse now stands and his niece, Mrs. Oakley,
890 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
attended the Center school and also pursued her studies in Morrison. Mr.
Judd was her first teacher and the schools of that period were somewhat prim-
itive, but the pupils were thoroughly grounded in the elementary branches of
English learning. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oakley were born five children : Alice
M., the wife of W. G. Garter, of Cohasset, California, by whom she has two
sons and three daughters; Cora A., who has engaged in teaching for several
years and makes her home with her mother; Ida, who conducts a large dress-
making establishment in Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; Lottie, who is bookkeeper for the
Morrison Produce Company; and Fred S., who is operating the home farm.
On his return to Whiteside county in 1875 Mr. Oakley purchased the
James Snyder farm, which has since been the family residence. With charac-
teristic energy he began its further development and improvement and in
1901-2 erected a beautiful residence, which stands in the midst of well kept
fields that annually bring forth rich harvests. The other equipments of the
farm are also modern and the latest improved machinery is used in the fields.
Mr. Oakley was always progressive as well as practical in his work and his
labors brought to him a gratifying measure of success, making him one of the
representative farmers of the county.. He continued actively in his work un-
til his life's labors were ended in death, October 13, 1906. His loss was deeply
regretted by many friends, for he was widely and favorably known here. He
voted with the republican party but never accepted office. He served for a
number of years as a member of the school board and was thus officially con-
nected with the schools at the time of his demise. When a young man he
became a member of the Odd Fellows Society but in his later years did not
sustain active relation with the order. His Christian faith was manifest in his
membership in the Lutheran church and his life was in harmony with his
professions. Mrs. Oakley still resides upon the old homestead with her son,
who operates the farm, and the family is well known in the community.
DAVID ANDERSON.
There is no citizen of Sterling who is held in higher regard and esteem
than David Anderson, who since 1887 has lived retired in this city, occupying
a comfortable home at No. 1609 East Fourth street. He is a native of Both-
well, Scotland, his birth having there occurred on the 17th of March, 1829.
Both the paternal and maternal grandparents were natives of Scotland. The
paternal grandfather, James Anderson, wedded a Miss Whitelaw and reared
a large family. He was a farmer by occupation and died when well advanced
in years. The maternal grandfather, James Dick, was also a farmer. He,
too, reared a large family and lived to a ripe old age, but his wife died when in
middle life.
The parents of our subject, James and Aellison (Dick) Anderson, were
likewise natives of Bothwell, Scotland. Of their family of eight children, six
sons and two daughters, David of this review, is the only one now living.
The father was a fanner in his native country, and in 1854, believing that he
might better provide for his wife and family in America, he set sail for the
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 891
United States, and upon his arrival on American shores at once made his way
to Ogle county, Illinois, settling on a farm in Buffalo township, where lived
two of his children, who had preceded him to this country. The father there
spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1861, when he had reached
the advanced age of eighty years. His wife survived him for twelve years,
when she passed away, having reached the extreme old age of ninety-two
years. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian church.
David Anderson, whose name introduces this review, was reared in his
native country and there acquired his education. When he attained his
majority, in 1850, he and a younger brother, Alexander Anderson, emi-
grated to the new world, hoping that in this land they might find better op-
portunities than could be enjoyed in Scotland. Mr. Anderson at once made
his way to Ogle county, this state, and purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of land, which he shared with his brother. Later he added a tract of
eighty acres to his original purchase, until he became the possessor of one
hundred and sixty acres of good farming property. He continued to culti-
vate his tract of land until 1887, when he retired from agricultural pursuits
and removed to Sterling, where he has since made his home, occupying a fine
brick residence. In addition to this he also retains possession of his farming
property and owns a good residence property in Sterling, located at the
corner of Sixth street and Thirteenth avenue, from which he derives a good
rental.
Mr. Anderson chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey, Miss
Ellen Wilber, to whom he was married on the 29th of March, 1855. Mrs.
Anderson is a daughter of Tillinghest and Elmira (Underwood) Wilber, na-
tives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, respectively. They emigrated from
the east to Illinois in 1848, establishing their home in Buffalo Grove, Ogle
county, where the father engaged in farming. Both the parents are now
deceased, having passed away at Polo, this state, the father when he had
reached the very advanced age of eighty-four years, while the mother was one
year his junior at the time of her demise. Their family numbered two
daughters and one sou: Emily, the widow of John Wood, of Lanark, Illi-
nois; William R.,- of Ashland, Nebraska; and Ellen, now Mrs. Anderson.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Anderson was John Wilber, a native of
Rhode Island and a cooper by trade. He became separated from his parents
during the Revolutionary war, in which his father, who also bore the name
of John Wilber, served as a soldier. John Wilber, Jr., wedded Polly Braham,
and they settled at Buffalo Grove in 1845, where they spent their remaining
days, the former passing away at the advanced age of ninety-two years, while
the latter died at the age of seventy-seven. The maternal grandparents of
Mrs. Anderson were Jonas and Mary Ann (Pine) Underwood, the former a
native of Massachusetts and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Following
the close of hostilities he engaged in farming in Broome county, New York,
where both passed away at a ripe old age. They reared a family of ten
children.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson has been blessed with one son,
Raynold B. Anderson, who wedded Miss Agnes Maxwell, and follows farm-
892 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ing in Newsong township, Ogle county, Illinois. Mr. Anderson gives his
political support to the republican party, and his wife is a member of the
United Brethren church. He finds his greatest social enjoyment at his own
fireside, where his wife and intimate friends know him to be a delightful com-
panion. He has now passed the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey,
and the rest which he is enjoying is well merited. His residence in Sterling
covers more than two decades, and therefore few men have more intimate
knowledge of its history or of events which have left their impress upon its
annals.
JOHN PAPE.
John Pape, who for almost a quarter of a century was numbered among
the successful and representative farmers of Ustick township, was born in
England on the 30th of September, 1828, and died in 1874. Having spent
the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of his nativity, he determined
to come to America in the hope of enjoying better business opportunities than
were afforded in the old world. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and took
up his abode in Carroll county, Illinois, where he lived for five years. In
1850 he removed to Whiteside county and secured a farm of eighty acres in
Ustick township. It was largely wild and unimproved, but he at once began
its further development and cultivation, and as the years passed he con-
verted the place into an excellent farm. There he made his home until hio
death. He had one brother, George Pape, who, coming to America, lived for
a considerable period in Carroll county, but is now deceased.
On the 6th of December, 1860, John Pape was united in marriage to
Miss Melvina Green, the wedding being celebrated in Ustick township. She
still survives her husband and occupies the home which he built for her. Her
parents were Jonathan and Susan Green, natives of Pennsylvania who, emi-
grating westward, located in Carroll county, Illinois, where they lived until
their death. They were the parents of four children : Mrs. Lucretia Hoover,
now a resident of Mount Vernon, Ohio ; Mrs. Emily Hate, of Winfield, Iowa ;
Jonathan, who was formerly engaged in the paint business, but is now living
retired in Pasadena, California; and Mrs. Pape.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pape six children were born. Mary, who was born
March 12, 1862, is now the wife of Samuel J. Hawk, of Fulton, and they
have five children, Laura, Edna, George, Clarence and Roy. Jane is the
wife of William S. Mitchell, a farmer, and they have five children, Bert,
Maude, Alice, Minnie and Cecil. Noah, born December 26, 1863, married
Miss Date Dyson and they have six children, Floyd; Cloy, who lives with
his grandmother, Mrs. Pape; Blanch; Lee; Leapha; and Zelma. George,
born April 2, 1868, married Lizzie Peterkin and they have four children,
Lloyd, Lyle, Forrest and Frances. Minnie, born December 27, 1871, is
the wife of Frank Milne, of Clyde township, and they have six children,
Winnie, Ruby, Maud, Sidney, Verna and Harold. John, born January 26,
1875, married Rose McKee, and resides upon the home farm.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 893
The death of the husband and father occurred in 1874, when he had
been a resident of the county for twenty-four years. He was a member of
the Masonic lodge and chapter and was an exemplary representative of the
craft. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he filled
the offices of township assessor and collector. Although many years have
passed since he was called from this life he is yet remembered by many
of the old settlers as a man who was worthy their confidence and regard and
who gained their lasting friendship.
Mrs. Pape still owns eighty acres of land which her son Noah now
cultivates. Since the time of her marriage she has resided continuously in
Ustick township and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle
of her acquaintance. She belongs to the Eastern Star .and is in entire sym-
pathy with the work of the order, which is to promote mutual helpfulness
and kindliness.
CHARLES EARL WETHERBEE.
In the history of the county's business development and activity mention
should be made of Charles Earl Wetherbee, one of the native sons, who by
force of his character, his enterprise and his training in the line of his chosen
calling has gained success and a position of distinction as an architect. He
was born on his father's farm in Sterling township, east of the city, May 1,
1875. His paternal grandfather, Luther B. Wetherbee, was a native of
Massachusetts and was a pattern-maker in the east. After removing west-
ward to Whiteside county he secured land and followed farming, taking up
two hundred acres from the government, which he brought under a high
state of cultivation. Upon that place he reared his family and made it his
home until his death, which occurred in 1874, when he had attained an ad-
vanced age. His wife passed away in 1878. They were the parents of four
children, of whom three are yet living: Charles Adams; Edwin C., of
Marshalltown, Iowa; and Ada, the wife of Henry 0. Gaston, of Cerro Gordo,
Illinois. One daughter died in early childhood.
The eldest of this family and the father of our subject was a native of
Massachusetts, and throughout his entire life has been a farmer. During
the early epoch in the settlement of this county he came west with his par-
ents, and the farm upon which he now resides was that which his father
entered as a claim from the government. Upon that place he was reared to
manhood, and has always made the farm his home with the exception of one
or two years. He married Miss Margaret Lavinia Penrose, a native of Ohio,
and a daughter of Marcus Penrose, who was likewise born in the Buckeye
state, and was a farmer by occupation. He also came to Whiteside county
at an early day and settled on a farm north of Sterling, where he lived until
he had attained an advanced age, when he took up his abode in the city,
there spending his remaining days. His wife died when in middle life. They
were the parents of six children, and after losing his first wife Mr. Penrose mar-
894 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ried again, his second union being with Lydia^ Kirk. It was his daughter,
Margaret Lavinia, who became the wife of Charles Adams Wetherbee. They
are members of the Congregational church and are highly esteemed in the
locality where they reside. Mr. Wetherbee is a veteran of the Civil war,
having served for three years with the Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry. He joined the army as a private soldier and faithfully defended the
old flag. After his return from the south he resumed farming, and is now
one of the oldest living residents of the county. He has taken an active part
in its public interests as well as its agricultural development, and was road
commissioner and supervisor for many years. He also served for one term
in the Illinois legislature. Unto him and his wife have been born four chil-
dren : M.ay Penrose, who is living in Sterling ; Ella Dora, who died in 1904 :
Harriet Ada, the wife of Clarence Johnson, of New York city; and Charles
Earl.
Mr. Wetherbee, of this review, was reared on his father's farm, and at-
tended the district school in his boyhood days, while later he continued his
education in the Sterling high school and subsequently in the Oberlin Acad-
emy and in the Oberlin College. Three years were devoted to his college
course, after which he matriculated in the Illinois State University at Cham-
paign and mastered a four years' course. He studied architecture there and
after leaving the university entered into partnership with P. T. Van Horn,
of Sterling. The partnership continued for two years, after which Mr. Weth-
erbee purchased Mr. Van Horn's interest, and has since conducted the busi-
ness alone. As an architect he has planned a number of the principal build-
ings of Sterling, and has thus contributed to the adornment of the city.
On the 28th of July, 1905, Mr. Wetherbee was married to Miss Faith
Leland Bardwell, a daughter of John and Lovilla (Kellogg) Bardwell. Mr.
and Mrs. Wetherbee are members of the Congregational church, and he be-
longs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M., while his political alle-
giance is given to the republican party. He resides at No. 716 East Seventh
street, having purchased the residence there built by Colonel Wilson. It is a
beautiful property, and the spirit of hospitality there reigns supreme. Mr.
Wetherbee is well known as a representative of one of the old and prominent
pioneer families, and his worth is widely recognized in business and social
circles.
HON. ALFRED N. ABBOTT.
The life record of Hon. Alfred N. Abbott has left an indelible impress
upon the history of Whiteside county and his many friends would not con-
sider this record complete were there failure to make prominent reference to
him. He has achieved gratifying success in the business world and at the
same time has been actively concerned in affairs of public moment, his labors
always being prompted by a spirit of unquestioned devotion to the public
good. He resides upon a farm in Ustick township on section 32, which was
ASA M. ABBOTT
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 897
the place of his birth, his natal day being November 2, 1862. His father
entered the land from the government during the pioneer epoch in the
history of the county, and from the days when Whiteside was upon the
frontier until the present the name of Abbott has figured conspicuously and
honorably in connection with the development and progress of this portion
of the state.
His parents were Asa M. and Sarah (Sperry) Abbott. The former
was born in Hartland, Vermont, November 16, 1820, and was a son of
Benjamin and Dorcas (Noyes) Abbott, both of whom were natives of New
Hampshire and of English lineage. Benjamin Abbott was born in Con-
cord, and was the fifth in direct line in the Abbott family to bear the name
of Benjamin. The founder of the Abbott family in America arrived in
1643 and became one of the first settlers of Andover, Massachusetts. On
the records of Revolutionary soldiers the name frequently appears. Ben-
jamin Abbott, the great-grandfather of our subject, joined the patriot army
at the outbreak of hostilities with the mother country and was wounded in
the battle of Bunker Hill. Two of his brothers participated in the battle of
Bennington, in which one of them was killed. Benjamin Abbott, the
grandfather, making his home in the Green Mountain state, there reared a
family of six children. Ephraim, who was a printer by trade, removed
westward to St. Louis and was the editor of the first agricultural paper pub-
lished in the Mississippi valley. Enoch, who engaged in merchandising
at New Hampshire, traveled around the world for his health and spent his
last days in Concord, New Hampshire, which town was founded by the
Abbott family. Asa was the next in order of 'birth. Laura became the wife
of Lansing Morton, of Mortons Corners, New York, and died at the age of
twenty-six years. Susan became the wife of Jesse Fry and died leaving
two children. Laura married Brigadier General William Clendennin, of
Moline.
Reared in the state of his nativity, Asa M. Abbott early learned and
followed the gunsmith's trade. At the age of twenty-one he became a resi-
dent of St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1847 took up his abode at Fulton, Illi-
nois, where for a brief period he worked as a gunsmith. The following year
he secured a claim of eighty acres, which was then wild and unimproved,
and with characteristic energy began its development. In his farming
operations he prospered and, adding to his possessions, became the owner of
four hundred and eighty acres of land in Kansas and three hundred and
twenty acres in Illinois, including a valuable timber tract of one hundred
and thirty acres. He was prominent in community affairs and aided largely
in molding the policy and shaping the destiny of the county during its
formative period. He was the first town clerk and filled a number of the
township offices. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons and with
the Odd Fellows and served as noble grand in the latter organization.
At Oquawka, Illinois, on the 6th of December, 1846, Asa M. Abbott
married Miss Sarah Sperry, who was born in Mecca, Ohio, February 18,
1822, a daughter of Joy and Mary Sperry, who in 1830 traveled across the
country with ox-teams from Ohio to Henderson county, Illinois. Their
898 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
children were: John, now deceased; Charles, who is living at Nephi, Utah;
William ; Harrison, of Salt Lake City ; Aaron and Betsy, deceased ; and Mary
Anne, who married Royes Oatman, and who with her husband and five
children were killed by the Indians in Arizona in 1851 while on their way
to California. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Asa M. Abbott were born seven children.
Charles E., whose birth occurred December 22, 1847, married Sarah Sperry
and is now connected with street railway interests in Salt Lake City, Utah.
John Morton, born March 25, 1850, wedded Hannah E. Knight and is a
resident farmer of Marshall county, Kansas. Ruth, born June 23, 1852,
died May 12, 1855. Theodore Sperry, born September 23, 1855, and now a
civil engineer of Saltillo, Mexico, married Lillian Nalle, a native of Vir-
ginia, who died August 6, 1902, and in February, 1904, he wedded Grace
Ailing. Edward Lorenzo, born February 15, 1859, and now a civil engineer
of New York city, was married in May, 1888, to Lillian Hartwell. William
Lament, born February 14, 1861, and now an operating engineer with the
Edison Commonwealth Electric Company of Chicago, married Caroline Ent-
whistle, September 14, 1887. Alfred N. completes the family. The father
died April 8, 1889, and -the mother passed away at the age of sixty-eight
years.
Alfred N. Abbott, reared upon the old homestead farm, began his edu-
cation as a district-school student when about six years of age and supple-
mented his preliminary mental training by study in the State University
at Champaign, where three of his brothers had also been students. The
occupation to which he was reared he chose as a life work and has long been
accounted one of the most enterprising, progressive and successful agricul-
turists of the community. Since his father's death he had added to the
place a tract of one hundred and twenty acres and is now the owner of a
valuable farm of four hundred acres, which returns to him a gratifying
annual income in golden harvests that result from the care and labor he
bestows upon the fields. He has also erected substantial modern buildings
and everything about the place indicates his care and supervison and his
excellent executive and business ability.
On the 12th of October, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of Alfred
N. Abbott and Miss Sarah Green, who was born in Woodbine, Jo Daviess
county, Illinois, April 3, 1865. Her father, John H. Green, now a retired
farmer, was born June 29, 1831, in Yorkshire, England, and came to Amer-
ica in 1842. He afterward worked in the lead mines near Galena until he
attained his majority, when in 1852 he went to the gold fields of California,
where he remained for six years. He then returned to Illinois and settled at
Woodbine in Jo Daviess county, where he remained until March, 1869,
when he took up his abode in Whiteside county. Here he conducted busi-
ness as an active and prosperous farmer until 1894, when he retired to Mor-
rison to enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. On the 1st
of December, 1860, he was married to Miss Margaret Lowry, who was born
on the Isle of Man, September 17, 1844, and on coming to the United States
located at Elizabeth, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Green were born six
children : John G., born in Woodbine, August 25, 1862, and now a resident
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 899
farmer of Ustick township, married Lydia Steiner and has five children.
Mrs. Abbott is the second of the family. May, born November 29, 1873,
in this county, is the wife of B. F. Hoover, a resident farmer of Lyndon
township, and has two children. Phoebe, born March 19, 1876, is with her
parents in Morrison. Daniel died in infancy. Benjamin, born August 22,
1887, is also at home.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Abbott was blessed with four children:
Bayard Taylor, born November 5, 1887, and Frances Dorcas, born January
5, 1889, are now members of the sophomore class of the Illinois University
at Champaign. Louis Asa, born August 9, 1891, is a high school student in
Morrison; and Howard Green, born January 8, 1896, is attending district
school.
The family is prominent socially, the members of the household occupy-
ing an enviable position in the regard of their associates. Mr. Abbott be-
longs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities and he and his wife are
connected with the Eastern Star. He likewise holds membership with Ustick
Camp, No. 3995, M. W. A., and with the Mystic Workers. His political
allegiance is given to the republican party and he has long been recognized
as one of its leaders in Whiteside county. He is in thorough sympathy with
its principles and its policy and has been almost continuously in public
office since attaining his majority. He was only twenty-one years of age
when elected justice of the peace, in which position he was continued by
re-election for six years. For one term he served as supervisor and in Novem-
ber, 1898, resigned that position to enter upon the duties of representative
of his district in the state legislature, to which he had been called by popular
vote. While a member of the house he gave careful consideration to each
question which came up for settlement and his official record has at all
times been characterized by a fidelity to duty that is above question. He is
respected and honored wherever known and most of all where best known.
His entire life has been passed in Whiteside county upon the farm where he
yet resides and his sterling traits of character have made him a man of many
friends.
FRANKLIN A. UPTON.
In the death of Franklin A. Upton on the 30th of August, 1886. White-
side county mourned the loss of one of its native sons, who by his sterling
traits of character had gained the confidence and respect of many friends.
He was an enterprising farmer living on section 23, Mount Pleasant township,
and his birth occurred in Lyndon township on the 27th of April, 1854, his
parents being Eli and Elizabeth Ann (Ncwcomb) Upton. His father, who
was an honored pioneer of Whiteside county, and one of its most prosperous
farmers, was born in Peter?boro, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, Septem-
ber 28, 1811, a son of Eli and Abigail (Snow) Upton, who were likewise
natives of that state, where the father owned and conducted a grist mill
900 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
for many years. He spent the last eight years of his life in the home of his
son Eli and died at the age of eighty-five years, having long survived his first
wife, who died at the age of thirty. Following her demise he afterward
married again.
Eli Upton was reared in New Hampshire and in early manhood learned
the machinist's trade, which he followed for three years. He was after-
ward employed as a -machinist in a woolen and cotton mill for two years
and then went to Yenego, in the state of Sonora, Mexico, with Charles Peck,
to set up and put in operation the machinery for a cotton mill to be built at
that place. For nearly four years Mr. Upton remained in Mexico and in
1844 returned to the United States. After reaching his old home, he was
there married, in June, 1844, to Elizabeth Ann, daughter of John New-
comb, of New Hampshire. Soon afterward the young couple started by
way of the lakes for Illinois, reaching Chicago when it was a small and
unimportant town. There he purchased a team and wagon and some house-
hold utensils and continued on his journey to Whiteside county. For ten
years he resided on a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres on section 6,
Lyndon township, and then removed to Mount Pleasant township. At one
time he owned about a thousand acres of land. He improved and operated
a large farm and was one of the most extensive stock farmers of that day.
In all of his business affairs he displayed an aptitude for successful manage-
ment and in connection with his son George he dealt successfully in Perch-
eron horses for twelve years but gave up business in order to live retired
in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former labor. He reached the very
venerable age of eighty-nine years, passing away in 1900, while his wife
died June 9, 1890, at the age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents
of four children who reached adult age, while a daughter, Susan, died at
the age of fifteen months. George Y. is now a retired farmer of LaGrange,
Illinois, and still owns land in Mount Pleasant township. At the time of
the Civil war he served for eighteen months in the Union army. John Eli
wedded Mary Galbraith and resided on a farm in Mount Pleasant town-
ship but died in 1877, leaving three children. Joseph Snow, who married
Augusta Rockwell, is now a farmer of Harwood, North Dakota.
Franklin A. Upton was reared under the parental roof and speirt his
entire life in this county. His preliminary education was supplemented by
study in the Morrison high school and after putting aside his text-books he
learned the tinsmith's trade, which he followed for a few years. His time
and energies, however, were largely given to general farming and stock-
raising. He was successful in this work by reason of his unfaltering dili-
gence and keen discrimination and in all of his business dealings was known
to be fair, reliable and trustworthy.
Mr. Upton was married to Miss Ellen J. Puddifoot, who was born in
Ustick township, this county, 'a daughter of Alfred and Lucy (Tooley)
Puddifoot, who came here in 1855 from London, England, where they were
married. They established their home in Ustick township and after living
there for some time the father purchased a farm in Clyde township, where
he capably and successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits until
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 901
he retired with a handsome competence and removed to Morrison, where
he still resides. He is an energetic, alert and prosperous business man and
a most highly respected citizen, and throughout the community has many
warm friends. His wife died in 1892, at the age of sixty-four years. She
was a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind and many friends
keenly felt her loss. In their family were eight children, of whom six are
yet living: Mary Ann, who was born in England and died in Clyde town-
ship in 1879; Lizzie, the wife of George S. Peet, a resident of New Haven,
Connecticut; Mrs. Ellen J. Upton, of this review; Albert, who is living in
Morrison ; Amelia, the wife of Fred J. Richardson, who resides in Mor-
rison; Charles H., a commercial traveler, whose home is in St. Joseph,
Missouri; Jesse, who is engaged in the hotel business in Ward, Colorado;
and Ida May, who died in infancy.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Upton were born four children, all natives of White-
side county. Clifford J., born November 6, 1878, is now a roll turner for
the Lackawanna Steel Company, at Buffalo, New York. He married Fannie
Holngren, of Chicago. William A., born May 4, 1880, and now connected
with mining interests at Ward, Colorado, married Bessie Nichols, of Chicago.
Eli L., born February 24, 1882, married Florence L. Wells, of Chicago, and
resides in that city, being employed in the plate mill of the Illinois Steel
Company. Mabel B., born January 6, 1886, is the wife of R. W. Suther-
land, of Ward, Colorado.
Franklin A. Upton was a democrat in his political views and always
kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day but was never
an office seeker. He belonged to the Odd Fellows society and was greatly
esteemed by his brethren of that organization. His upright, honorable life
made him a worthy representative of a prominent pioneer family and his
many commendable traits of character gained him a high position in the
esteem of those with whom he was associated. Following her husband's
death Mrs. Upton carefully reared her family and resided in Whiteside
county until 1894, when she removed to Chicago, where she now makes
her 'home. However, she still owns property in Mount Pleasant township
and numbers many friends among her acquaintances in this part of the
state.
DAVID HYDE.
David Hyde, enjoying well earned rest in the evening of life, was in
former years connected with agricultural pursuits in Hopkins township, but
is now living retired in Como. He has passed the eighty-eighth milestone on
life's journey, his birth having occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
November 7, 1819. His parents were David and Barbara (Stoner) Hyde,
who were likewise natives of Lancaster county, where they spent their entire
lives. The maternal grandfather, David Stoner, a native of Germany, on
emigrating from that country, crossed the Atlantic to the new world and be-
902 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
came the founder of the family in Lancaster county. He married a Miss
Herr, who was a native of Pennsylvania. The family is noted for longevity,
many of the members reaching advanced age. The father, David Hyde,
was a soldier of the war of 1812. In the east he followed farming, and there
reared his family of twelve children, namely : Mary, Elizabeth, Lucy, John,
Henry, Adam, David, William, Catherine, Susan, Christine and Katherine.
But two of the number now survive, Susan and David.
The latter was about fifteen years of age when he started in life on his
own account. He had up to that time remained with his parents, but now he
began work as a farm hand and was employed by others until eighteen years
of age. He then turned his attention to the milling business, which he
learned in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He served a three years' ap-
prenticeship and afterward worked at the same place as a journeyman for
about five years more. Thus his time was busily occupied, and he learned
the value of industry and unfaltering diligence.
On the 24th of August, 1843, Mr. Hyde was married to Miss Anna Difen-
bauch, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Bressler) Difenbauch, who were na-
tives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where they lived and died. Mr. and
Mrs. Hyde came to Sterling in 1855, after residing for twelve years- in the
east, and settled near the city. For many years Mr. Hyde followed farming
for George Hoover, and in 1893 purchased a farm in Hopkins township the
old Loomis place, which he owned and cultivated for ten years, bringing the
fields under a high state of improvement. He sold that property in 1903,
and has since lived in Como, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and
richly merits. He is a wonderfully well preserved man for one of his age,
the years resting lightly upon him. He has here a few acres of land which ho
cultivates, working every day, and in the winter time hauls large loads of
wood, which he cuts and splits for fuel. There are, indeed, few who reach
his age who possess so much vigor and ambition.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hyde have been born three children who are now
living: Samuel, a resident of Sterling; Louise, who is the widow of John
Reese, and resides in Pontiac, Illinois; and Libby, the wife of the Rev. John
Van Avery, who is living near Pontiac.
Mr. Hyde cast his first vote for General Harrison, and also voted for
Henry Clay. He has since voted at every presidential election with one ex-
ception, and has been unfaltering on his support of the political principles
which he has deemed would prove of the greatest benefit to the country. He
was born during the presidential administration of James Monroe, and has
lived through a most momentous period in the history of the country. Even
in the east hardly a railroad had been built, and the steamboat was yet an ex-
periment. Mr. Hyde saw the first railroad in the United States, the road
being built of wooden rails covered with strap iron. He remembers seeing
the first two railroad engines called the Johnny Bull and Firefly. A notable
event in his life was his meeting with General La Fayette, upon his return to
this country. He has lived to see the country crossed and recrossed with the
great network of railroads, has seen the introduction of the telegraph and the
telephone, the automobile and the improved machinery which has entirely
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 903
revolutionized the methods of farming since his boyhood days. In his early
life fanning was practically carried 011 as it had been through centuries, and
there has been greater change in the work of developing the soil and caring
for the crops than in perhaps any other line of life. Mr. Hyde has always
kept apace with the general progress and has rejoiced in what has been ac-
complished. He and his wife have traveled life's journey together for nearly
*ixty-three years, in sunshine and storm, amid all the changing events of
their lives, sharing their joys and sorrows, and now, with the sun far down
the western slope, their lives are tranquil and serene, and all who know
them hold them in highest esteem. During the years of their residence in
Whiteside county they have won lasting friendships and their memory will be
cherished long after they have passed away. They are both members of the
Presbyterian church at Sterling, and have lived in harmony with their pro-
fessions in the Christian -faith.
HENRY GEORGE KOHL.
The spirit of enterprise and close application which are the salient
features in the successful business career are manifest in Mr. Kohl, who
is conducting a barber shop on East Third street in Sterling. This is his
native city, his birth having here occurred July 27, 1879. His parents
were Herman and Sophia (Winckus) Kohl, natives of Diisseldorf, Germany.
The father was a cooper by trade and in 1869 came to America, settling in
Sterling, where he followed coopering for many years. He afterward worked
in a distillery for several years and since that time he has lived retired.
He has now reached the age of eighty years, while his wife is seventy years
of age. Both are members of the Roman Catholic church. Their family
numbered ten children, seven sons and three daughters: Joe; Frank; John;
Adam; Gertrude, the wife of D. P. Crook; Matthew; Peter; Isabel, the wife
of Frank Boehm; Rose, the wife of C. E. Derwent; and Henry George,
of this review.
In taking up the personal history of Mr. Kohl, whose name introduces
this record, we present to our readers the life of one who is widely and
favorably known in Sterling, where he was reared. He attended the public
schools and also the Sacred Heart parochial school and after putting aside
his text-books he began learning the barber's trade. He thoroughly quali-
fied for that work and in June. 1901, opened a shop of his own. He now
has a shop with fovr chairs at No. 1 East Third .street and has an excellent
patronage from among the best people of Sterling and vicinity. He em-
ploys capable, courteous workmen and is meeting with gratifying success in
his undertakings.
On the llth of July, 1906, Mr. Kohl was married to Miss Tessie M.
Wetzell, a daughter of John Henry and Kate (Horlicker) Wetzell. They
now have one son, Vincent Henry. Mr. Kohl is a member of the Sacred
Heart Catholic church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He has
904 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
spent his entire life in Sterling, has always been industrious and ambitious
to succeed and has gained a gratifying patronage here. In character devel-
opment, too, he has made commendable progress and enjoys the confidence
and high esteem of those who know him. His acquaintance here is a wide
one, as Sterling has been the place of his residence throughout his entire
life.
SAMUEL A. SHARER.
Samuel A. Sharer, a successful agriculturist and stock-raiser, residing in
Garden Plain township, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, May 15,
1863, a son of Samuel and Magdalena (Hoy) Sharer, likewise natives of the
Keystone state. The grandparents of our subject emigrated from Germany
to America at a very early day, settling in Pennsylvania. The paternal
grandfather, Henry Sharer, reared a family of eight children, of whom
Samuel Sharer, the father of our subject, was the only one who ever came
west. It was in the year 18'65 that he came to Whiteside county, Illinois,
purchasing one hundred acres of land, at forty dollars per acre, from his
father, Henry Sharer, who had bought the tract originally. It was on this
farm that Samuel Sharer, Sr., principally reared his family and carried on
agricultural pursuits throughout his active business life, his death occurring
April 25, 1892, when he had attained the age of sixty-three years, two months
and eleven days. By his first wife, who passed away January 30, 1889, at the
age of fifty-nine years, five months and four days, he had ten children,
namely: Annie M., the wife of Philander Ryersee, of Ness county, Kansas;
Mary, the wife of Benjamin Schisler; John H., of Garden Plain township;
David, who resides in Kansas; Joseph O., who makes his home in Davenport,
Iowa; Minerva J., the wife of Richard Schisler, of Harrisburg. Oregon; Elmer
M., who lives in Kansas; Samuel A., of this review; Jeremiah J., of Abing-
don, Illinois; and Louella A., the wife of Frank Huggins. In 1891 the
father of this family was again married, his second union being with Miss
Elizabeth Young, of Center county, Pennsylvania.
Brought to Whiteside county when but two and a half years of age,
Samuel A. Sharer still resides on the farm which his father purchased at
that early day. He acquired his education in the Cedar Creek schoolhou;-e,
and when he had attained his majority began working for his father on a
salary. In 1891 his father removed to Albany, but he remained on the old
homestead farm and has lived here continuously to the present time, being
actively and successfully engaged in its cultivation and development. He has
one hundred and forty-five acres of land, has ever displayed unremitting"
industry and sound business judgment in the conduct of his farming and
stock-raising interests and is therefore meeting with a well-merited measure
of prosperity.
On the 21st of October, 1903, Mr. Sharer was united in marriage to
Miss Bertlia P. Starbuck, a native of Sutton, West Virginia, and a daughter
MR. AND MRS. S. A. SHARER
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 907
of B. B. and Mary E. (Skidmore) Starbuck, also natives of West Virginia.
The Starbucks came from England and located in Massachusetts, thence
removed to Indiana and subsequently settled in West Virginia, in which
state Mrs. Sharer was reared and educated. Unto Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Star-
buck were born four children: Alpheus C., of Sterling, Illinois; Mrs. Sharer;
Grover C., of Summersville, West Virginia; and Earl B. The mother of
this family passed away July 14, 1890, while her husband survived until
March 7, 1901, when he, too, was called to his final rest. Since 1902 A. C.
Starbuck has resided in Sterling, and in 1906 Earl B. Starbuck came to
Whiteside county, now making his home with Mr. and Mrs. Sharer. The
latter are the parents of one daughter, Veda Louise.
Mr. Sharer usually votes with the democracy and fraternally is con-
nected with Albany Lodge, No. 566, A. F. & A. M., and Social Chapter, No.
87, 0. E. S., with which his wife is also identified. Having resided in this
county throughout almost his entire life, he is largely familiar with the
annals of this part of the state from pioneer times down to the present and
in the work of development and progress has ever borne his full share.
HENRY B. WILKINSON.
Henry B. Wilkinson, engaged in the abstract business in Morrison
since 1883 and a member of the firm of Wilkinson & Company since 1901,
was born in Como, Whiteside county, in 1849. His father, Winfield Scott
Wilkinson, was a native of Skaneateles. New York, and of English lineage.
His grandfather, John Wilkinson, was a. soldier of the Revolutionary war.
enlisting with the 'New York troops.
W. S. Wilkinson was a civil engineer who pursued his education at
Georgetown, Kentucky, and was graduated on completing a classical course.
He came to Illinois about 1838, settling first in Jacksonville, where he
engaged in hi? profession. While a resident of that .city he was 'chosen to
represent his district in the Illinois legislature. About 1840 he arrived in
Whiteside county, taking up his abode at Como, where he continued to en-
gage in surveying and civil engineering. There he remained until 1856,
when he was elected county clerk and then removed to Sterling, the county
seat. He was an incumbent in this office for twelve years, being first elected
on the democratic ticket and reelected on the non-partisan ticket. He proved
a, most acceptable officer, retiring from the position as he had entered it
with the confidence and respect of all concerned. Further political honor-*
awaited him. for his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, elected
him to represent the senatorial district in the upper house of the state legis-
lature. There he gave careful consideration to every' question which came
up for settlement and his loyalty to the public welfare was above question.
At length he retired from active business pursuits, coming to Morrison in
1858, when the county seat was changed to thi~ place, spending the evening
of his life in well earned rest here. He was a good business man, manifest-
908 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
*
ing unwearied industry and capable management, so that his undertakings
were crowned with success. His labors, too, were of a character that proved
a benefit to the community at large while promoting his individual pros-
perity. He was one of the organizers, stockholders and directors of the
First National Bank of Morrison and during his service as county clerk
he was instrumental in forwarding the drainage of swamp lands in this
county and thus reclaiming them for the purpose of cultivation. He was
the engineer who laid out the drain in the county in the Green river district
and many other specific evidences of his usefulness could be given. Although
not identified with any denomination, he had strong religious views and
contributed generously to the support of the churches, desiring the moral
development of the community. He voted the democratic ticket but was not
unalterably bound by party ties. Aside from the other offices which he
filled he acted as a member of the city council of Morrison and in com-
munity affairs took a deep and helpful interest.
W. S. Wilkinson married Frances E. Sampson, who was born in Dux-
bury, Massachusetts, in 1814, and was also of English lineage, tracing her
ancestry back to the Mayflower. Two brothers of the name of Sampson-
Henry and William were passengers on that historic vessel on one of its
voyages to the new world. Mrs. Wilkinson traces her ancestry back to the
former. Her parents were Henry Briggs and Nancy (Turner) Sampson.
The father followed a sea-faring life and became captain of a merchantman
sailing between Massachusetts and the chief ports of Europe and the East
Indies. About 1840 the family moved westward to Tremont, on the Illinois
river, where they lived for a short time and then took up their abode at
Como, where Captain Sampson conducted a hotel for many years, becoming
one of the historic characters of that locality. His. daughter, Mrs. Wilkin-
son, was a most estimable lady, her life being ever in harmony with her
professions as a member of the Swedenborgian church. Her death occurred
in 1890. while Winfield S. Wilkinson passed away in 1893, at the age of
eighty-one years. In their family were the following children : Mary Chapin,
who became the wife of C. H. Cogswell, a physician of Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
and who died in 1903 ; Alfred Ernest, reporter for the supreme court at
Austin, Texas ; Henry B. ; one who died in infancy ; and Frank, also' deceased.
Henry B. Wilkinson attended the public schools of Sterling and of Mor-
rison and after entering business life spent nine years in connection with
the iron and steel industries and also two or three years in the Dakotas. In
1883 he succeeded his uncle, H. R. Sampson, in the abstract business, in
which he has since engaged, covering a period of a quarter of a century.
In 1901 a company was formed and the business has since been conducted
under the firm style of Wilkinson & Company, abstractors. In connection
with his other interests, Mr. Wilkinson is a stockholder and director in the
First National Bank of Morrison.
In 1903 was celebrated the marriage of Henry B. Wilkinson and Abbietta
Porter, who was born in Newark, New Jersey. They are well known and
prominent socially, and the hospitality of their home is enjoyed by their
many friends. Mr. Wilkinson is a democrat but without aspiration for
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 909
political office. He -is, however, interested in the welfare and development
of his community and withholds his cooperation from no movement which
he deems will prove of benefit. He is now president of the Odell Public
Library board arid is a member of the township high school board. The
greater part- of his life has been passed in Whiteside county and the .fact
that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his
childhood to the present time indicates that his has been an honorable and
upright career.
JAMES S. NANCE.
It is no easy thing .to advance from a position of limited financial
resources to one of affluence but this Mr. Nance has done, living a life of
intense and well directed business activity. He was born January 6, 1865,
in Genesee township on a farm which he now owns and operates.
His father, James R. Nance, was a native of Indiana, born December
29. 1831, and his last days were spent in Sterling, where he passed away
November 25, 1893. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eleanor
Smith, was born July 8, 1829, and died October 7, 1900. She, too, was a
resident of Sterling at the time of her demise. It was in the year 1852
that James R. Nance arrived in this county, and during the first year he
worked by the month/ At the end of the year he was paid one-half of his
wages in gold and given seven and a half acres of land at Genesee Grove.
He walked to Fulton and took a steamboat to Rock Island and on the trip
was robbed of his money and the paper giving him title to the land. All
that he had left was seventy-five cents, which he had in his inside pocket.
As they neared Rock Island he was approached by one of the hands on the
boat, who told him if he would treat the crowd they would return him his
papers for the land. He said that it was impossible for him to do so but
that he had an overcoat that he would pawn for the treats, and the drink
cost him seventy-five cents, so that he was left penniless. His papers, how-
ever, were returned to him, together with a deed of eighty acres which he
had bought. He left the boat at Rock Island and walked forty-two miles
to the home of an uncle, where he worked until he obtained sufficient money
to enable him to start in life upon an independent business career. He
then went to Indiana, where he was married in 1854 to Miss Eleanor Smith.
With his bride he returned to this county and upon his claim erected a
little log cabin, occupying the present site of the home of James S. Nance.
With characteristic energy he began the development of his farm,, and as
the years passed brought the land under a high state of cultivation. At
length he retired in 1891 and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment
of well earned rest in Sterling, where he passed away November 25, 1893.
His widow survived him for about seven years and died on the 7th of
October, 1900. in Sterling. In the family of this worthy couple were nine
children: Esahinda, now Mrs. Becker, of Sterling; Mrs. Rebecca Leinbech,
910 HISTORY OF WHITESTDE COUNTY
also a resident of Sterling; Mrs. Anna Johnson, who is living in Arkansas;
James S., of this review; Hattie; and Mary, William, Edith and Emma, all
deceased.
James S. Nance was reared upon the old homestead farm and early
became familiar with the work of tilling the fields, planting the crops and
in the late autumn gathering the harvests. The public schools afforded
him his educational privileges and when twenty-one years of age he began
farming on his own account by renting his father's place. He continued
to lease it year after year until the death of his father, when he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of the home place in Genesee township. He
has since extended its boundaries somewhat, for his farm now comprises
one hundred and eighty-six acres of rich and productive land. He makes
a specialty of stock-raising and at the same time produces good crops through
the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
On the 31st of July, 1886, Mr. Nance was married to Miss Sarah Bush-
man, who was born in Genesee township, February 15, 1865, a daughter
of Henry and Levina (Burghduff) Bushman. Her father, a native of
Cayuga county, New York, was born September 22, 1822, and died Novem-
ber 23, 1903. The mother's birth occurred January 3, 1838, in Wayne
county, New York, and she passed away February 3, 1873. There were nine
children in that family, but only four are now living: Charles H., a resi-
dent of Carroll county, Illinois; Colonel, who is living in this county; Har-
lan, whose home is in Genesee township; and Mrs. Nance.
Mr. and Mrs. Nance have no children of their own but have three
adopted children: Bertha, Clyde and Elsie M., to whom they give all
parental care and attention. They are members of the United Brethren
church and are interested in the moral, intellectual and social progress of
the community as well as in its material development. Mr. Nance gives
his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed
on the questions and issues of the day. For fifteen years he served as school
director and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of
America. The fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have
known him from his boyhood to the present indicates that his life has been
well spent.
ALLEN R. HENDRICKS.
The growth and prosperity of any community depends upon its com-
mercial and industrial interests, and in this connection Mr. Hendricks is one
of the upbuilders and promoters of Sterling, where he is successfully engaged
in trade as a druggist and pharmacist. He was born in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, August 29, 1849, his parents being Ephraim D. and Mary D.
(Rosenberry) Hendricks, who were native,? of the Keystone state. The pa-
ternal grandfather was also born in that state, where he followed the occupa-
tion of farming until his death, which occurred when he was in the prime
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 911
of life. His son, Ephraim D. Hendricks, was one of a large family, and as
a young man he learned and followed the tailor's trade. In 1851 he made
his way to the middle west, settling in Sterling, Illinois, where he engaged
in tailoring for a year, and then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in Jordan township, Whiteside county. Of this he afterward sold forty
acres, and cultivated the remainder until 1863. In that year he removed to
Clay county, Illinois, where he again purchased a tract of farming land, but
in 1865 returned to Whiteside county and bought a farm near Tampico, upon
which he resided for several years. On the expiration of that period he made
his home in Sterling, and a few years later removed to Cawker City, Kansas,
where he died September 6, 1903, at the venerable age of seventy-nine years.
His wife survived him until March 24, 1904, passing away at the age of
severity-eight years. Both were members of the Reformed Mennonite church.
Mrs. Hendricks' father was also a native of Pennsylvania, where he owned a
small farm. She was one of six or seven children, and by her marriage be-
came the mother of four children : Allen R. ; Benjamin F., a resident of
Morrison, Illinois; John R., living at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas; and Charles
R., whose home is in Glen Elder, Kansas.
Allen R. Hendricks was not quite two years of age when his parents took
up their abode near Sterling. Here he was reared to manhood and acquired
his education. His boyhood and youth were passed upon the home farm,
but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than the work of the
fields, he became a newsboy on the railroad, being thus engaged for one
season. He next began clerking in a drug store, and served for eight years
in that capacity. He studied pharmacy under Dr. W. J. Gait, and upon the
death of his preceptor formed a partnership with Henry Keefer for the pur-
chase of Dr. Gait's store. They conducted the business together for five
years, after which Mr. Hendricks sold his interest and started upon an in-
dependent business venture. He remained alone in the successful conduct
of a drug store until 1905, when a stock company was formed and the business
was continued under the name of the Hendricks Drug Company, of which
A. R. Hendricks is president, treasurer and manager. He has a fine store, well
appointed in all of its equipments, and carries on an extensive and profitable
business.
On the 25th of September, 1873, Mr. Hendricks was married to Miss
Susan Mover, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Moyer) Moyer. They
have become the parents of four children : Olive Grace, now the wife of
Edward Haberley, by whom she has one daughter, Marian ; Leon Sumner,
who died when a little more than four years of age; Lester Blaine, who is at-
tending the Illinois State University at Champaign, where he is studying
electrical engineering; and LeRoy Russell, who, as a high school student, is
preparing for college. Mrs. Hendricks is a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Hendricks belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. 0. 0. F., in which
he is serving as a trustee. He is likewise a member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen and has filled nearly all of the chairs, having for two
years been grand master of the state, while at the present writing he is one of
the three delegates to represent the state in the supreme body. He affiliates
912 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
with the Knights of the Globe and the Mystic Workers, and enjoys in large
measure the confidence and good will of his brethren of these fraternities.
Nor is Mr. Hendricks unknown in political circles. He stands stanchly as a
supporter of republican principles, has been chairman of the town central
committee, and is serving his second term as alderman of the First ward. He
was for six years assistant supervisor, and during one year of that time was
chairman of the .county board. Thus active in fraternal, political and busi-
ness circles, he is well known as a leading and representative citizen of Ster-
ling, and one whose genuine worth commands for him the good will and high
regard of those with whom he is brought in contact. Moreover, he has been
a resident of the county for much more than a half century, and has, there-
fore, been a witness of the greater part of its development and growth.
FRED L. BAKER.
Fred L. Baker, who carries on general farming and stock-raking upon
a tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres on section 15, Mount Pleas-
ant township, which has come into his possession as the result of the energy
and capable management he has displayed in earlier years, was born in
Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa, October 9, 1861, his parents being Jason L.
and Martha (Van Meter) Baker, natives of New York and Ohio respectively.
The father came to Whiteside county over sixty years ago. After living here
for a time, he removed to Iowa but later returned to this county, where
he made his home until his death in December, 1877, when he was forty
years of age. His widow still resides at Sterling, at the age of sixty-six
years. They were married in Tipton, Iowa, where the father carried on
work at the carpenter's trade. In fact throughout his entire life he was thus
identified with building operations. His widow, a most remarkable lady,
holds membership with the Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal church. Their
family numbered five children: Etta J., who became the wife of Andrew
Knox and died in November, 1884; Fred L., of this review; Will H., who is
married and resides in San Diego, California, where he carries on business
as a contractor and builder; Bert F., who at one time taught school and
was superintendent of schools at Chadwick and afterward at Warren, Illi-
nois, for five years but now resides near Minot, North Dakota, where he
follows farming, although in the meantime he engaged in the insurance
business ; and Cora Belle, who died in 1881, at the age of eleven years.
Fred L. Baker was reared in Whiteside county and attended the public
schools at Unionville, where he received instruction in the branches of learn-
ing that usually constitute the public-school curriculum. He has followed
farming throughout his entire life. In 1894 he purchased his present place,
known as the Henry Knox farm. Much of the improvement here has been
done by Mr. Baker, who keeps in touch with modern ideas of progressive
agriculture. He uses the latest farm machinery to facilitate the work of the
fields and annually produces large crops, which indicate that the methods
employed in carrying on his farm are of a most practical character.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 913
In March, 1886, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Etta Stone,
a native of Prophetstown township, and a daughter of Reed and Esther
(Garrison) Stone, who came very early to Whiteside county. Here the
father engaged in farming and later removed ta Michigan but subsequently
came again to this county, where he died in June, 1894, at the age of
seventy-nine years. His wife passed away in 1897, at the age of seventy-
three years. Mr. Stone had served as school director and was interested in
all that pertained to upbuilding and progress here. He and his wife had
come to the west from the state of New York and their personal worth was
indicated by the high regard in which they were uniformly held. They
had a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Nelson, now
a farmer of South Dakota, married Miss Potter and has a family. Sarah
married Orrin Moran and lives in Michigan. Charles, who wedded Rosetta
Moran, is a resident farmer of Michigan. Arthur makes his home at Spring
Hill in this county. Philip, who married Miss Digby, is employed in the
wire mills at Rock Falls. Mrs. Baker is the next of the family. Erastus,
who married Miss Wilson, of Morrison, is employed in the Keystone Mills
at Rock Falls. Carson, who wedded Miss White, is a barber of Battle Creek,
Iowa. Harry, who married Miss Rosetta Crump, of Mount Pleasant town-
ship, this county/ is now located in Nebraska.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Baker has been blessed with two sons and
a daughter: Clarence L., who at the age of twenty-one years, aids in the
operation of the home farm; Vernon L., who at the age of sixteen years is
attending the Mount Pleasant high school; and Edna B., twelve years of
age, also a student in the schools.
Politically Mr. Baker is independent, supporting men and measures
rather than party. He has been school director for many years and is now
serving as highway commissioner, which office he has filled for two years.
In this position he is giving excellent service and has done much to im-
prove the public highways. Socially he is connected with the Modern
Woodmen camp of Morrison and his wife is a member of the Mystic Work-
ers and also of the Woman's Relief Corps, and she attends the Methodist
Episcopal church. While a native of Iowa, Mr. Baker has spent the greater
part of his life in this county and the fact that many of his warmest friends
are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is an
indication that his has been an active, upright career.
RICHARD W. COVEL.
Richard W. Covel, a representative of the farming interests of Coloma
township, was born in East Roxbury, Delaware county, New York, Decem-
ber 28, 1848, his parents being Edwin and Irene (Wilson) Covel, who were
also natives of the Empire state, as were likewise the paternal and maternal
grandparents. They were prosperous farming people of the locality J and en-
joyed the respect of friends and neighbors.
914 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Richard W. Covel, reared under the parental roof, acquired his educa-
tion in the public schools, was trained to habits of industry and integrity, and
thus laid a good foundation for his life work. He was about twenty-four years
of age when he started out on his own account, and in the spring of 1874
he arrived in Sterling, Illinois, since which time he has made his home in
Whiteside county. Here he sought and soon found employment as a farm
laborer, and was thus engaged for about ten years, during which time he
carefully saved his earnings, and at length gained a sum sufficient to justify
his purchase of a farm. He then bought the E. Bowen, or "VVoodlawn farm,
upon which he lived for nine years, and next purchased the farm where he
made his home for sixteen years. On the expiration of that period he took
up his abode on the place which he now occupies, and where he has lived
since 1903. Here he owns two hundred and sixty-one acres of arable land
under a good state of cultivation, and in its midst stands a comfortable dwell-
ing, with large barns and many substantial outbuildings for the shelter of
grain and stock. Everything is now in a state of good repair, and he uses the
latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. In addition
to tilling the soil he has recently equipped his place for the conduct of a dairy
business, and is increasing his interests along this line.
On the 4th of January, 1880, Mr. Covel was, married to Miss Amanda
Delp, a daughter of Jacob and Cornelia (Thompson) Delp, natives of Illi-
nois. Mrs. Covel was born on the 8th of October, 1861, in Jordan township.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Covel have been born two daughters and two sons, Flor-
ence D., Mary Pearle, Richard and John Russell, all of whom are under the
parental roof.
In religious faith Mr. Covel is a Methodist, and his belief guides hi.*
acts in all his relations with his fellow men. His political preference is for
the republican party, but official honors and emoluments have little attrac-
tion for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business af-
fairs, and by his close application and executive ability he has become a
prosperous farmer.
CHARLES A. HAMILTON.
On the roster of county officials of Whiteside county appears the name
of Charles A. Hamilton, who in the fall of 1906 was elected sheriff. He is
now discharging the duties of the office without fear or favor and his course
has won uniform commendation. He is recognized as one of tho stalwart
supporters of the republican party and one of its leaders in local ranks.
His birth occurred at Lyndon in this county, September 13. 1858, his
parents being John M. and Anna B. (Thompson) Hamilton. The father
was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, May 12, 1814, and died in Feb-
ruary, 1906. He was of Scotch-Irish descent and was a son of Adam R.
Hamilton, who served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812, being a
member of a Massachusetts regiment. John M. Hamilton devoted his life
C. A. HAMILTON
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 917
to general agricultural pursuits and in 1835 removed from the state of New
York to Illinois with his parents, who settled in Lyndon township. Three
families the Woodruffs, the Dudleys and the Hamiltons came at that time
and were the first settlers of the district. John M. Hamilton and his father
entered government land, upon which they took up their abode and spent
their remaining days, and when their life's labors were ended their remains
were interred in the Lyndon cemetery. As the years passed John M. Ham-
ilton accumulated considerable property, meeting with gratifying prosperity
in his business undertakings. He was also an advocate of everything that
promoted the intellectual and moral progress of the community and was a
charter member of the Congregational church of Lyndon, in which both he
and his father served as deacons. In fact, throughout the community he
was everywhere known as Deacon Hamilton. In politics he was an old-line
whig until after the organization of the republican party, when he cast his
ballot for Abraham Lincoln. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth
and ability, called him to various township offices. His hearing becoming
affected so that it interfered with his participation in public interests, he
devoted the greater part of his time to reading and became a well-informed
man. He felt it his duty as a citizen to go to the polls and cast his ballot
in support of the principles which he deemed would best conserve the public
welfare and thus never failed to exercise his right of franchise.
John M. Hamilton married Mrs. Anna B. (Thompson) Wilder, a widow,
who was born in Pennsylvania and died November 27, 1890. She was of
Scotch lineage and she held membership in the Congregational church. By
this marriage there were born three children, of whom George W. died in
infancy. The others are Charles A. and Frederick E. The latter was born
October 29, 1860, and after some years' connection with the Adams Express
Company died in 1894, leaving a son, Charles L. Hamilton, who is now a
farmer of Lyndon. Previous to his marriage to Mrs. Wilder, Mr. Hamilton
had wedded Emily Wright, of New York, and to them were born three
children : John L., who enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry and is now in the Soldiers' Home at Quincy, Illinois;
Caroline A., the deceased wife of J. H. Smith, of Morrison; and Elvira P.,
the deceased wife of Philip M. Stone.
Charles A. Hamilton attended the district schools and the Lyndon high
school. He was reared on a farm and lived upon the old homestead, care-
fully conducting agricultural interests until he was elected sheriff in the
fall of 1906. He still owns the old home property, comprising two hundred
and fifty-four acres of rich and productive land. This place, upon which the
family residence now stands, has never been out of possession of the Ham-
iltons since it was entered from the government. In his farm work Mr.
Hamilton was energetic and capable and the fields annually brought to him
a good return for his labor.
In June, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Charles A. Hamilton and
Miss Theora E. Helms, who was born in Ustick township in 1861, a daugh-
ter of Henry E. and Lucy G. Helms. Her father was a farmer and a native
of Hamburg, Germany, whence he came to the United States when sixteen
918 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
years of age. On coming to Whiteside county he took up his abode in
Ustick township. He wedded Lucy G. Gould, a daughter of Thomas Gould,
one of the pioneer settlers of Lyndon township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ham-
ilton were born seven children : Grace E., born August 4, 1885, who is now
engaged in teaching school; Arthur E., who was born October 30, 1887, and
is attending the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Ar-
bor; Herbert E., who passed away when but three years of age; Lucy
E., whose birth occurred in 1895; John Henry, born in 1899; Cora L., in
1903 ; and Donald W., in 1906.
The parents were members of the Congregational church. Mr. Ham-
ilton is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen
and the Mystic Workers. His political allegiance is given to the republican
party and he has served as school director and town clerk, while for thirteen
terms he was assessor of his township. He has always taken an active inter-
est in party affairs and in the fall of 1906 was elected on the republican
ticket to the office of sheriff, in which position he is now serving, being most
prompt and reliable in the performance of the duties that devolve upon him
in this connection. As a representative of one of the oldest families of the
county he is well known and, as did his father and grandfather, he stands
for all that is progressive and helpful in citizenship.
GEORGE POWELL PERRY.
George Powell Perry, senior partner of the firm of Perry & Perry, drug-
gists, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 24, 1849, his par-
ents being Henry C. and Malinda B. (Jefferis) Perry, who resided at Wil-
mington, Delaware. They had two sons, Enos J. and George P. The mother
died when they were only eight months old, and the father afterward married
Miss Clarissa Thomas, of Maryland. There were three children born of that
union: Harry L., who lives in Dallastown, Pennsylvania; Clara Viola, the
wife of David Hyson, of Hampstead, Maryland; and Effie Jane. The father
was a carpenter by trade and afterward followed the occupation of farming.
He came to Illinois about 1855 and settled in Carroll county, where he
turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He afterward removed
from there to Red Oak, Iowa, where he died in 1871, at the age of forty-seven
years. His first wife died in 1850, while his second wife survived him for
.only three months.
George P. Perry and his twin brother, following their mother's death,
were reared by some aunts and their maternal grandmother, and Enos J.
Perry is now a distinguished dentist of Chicago. George P. Perry was reared
to manhood in Carroll county. Illinois, upon a farm. He attended the public
schools of Mount Carroll and afterward took up the study of medicine under
Dr. Shinier, while for one term he was a student in the Chicago Medical
College in 1871. He afterward entered a drug store at Fulton, Illinois, where
he remained for a year or more, and then spent sixteen months in a drug
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 919
store in Moline. In 1874 he came to Sterling, where he was employed in
different drug stores, and on the 4th of July, 1888, he became proprietor of a
store, which he has since conducted. He carries a large and well selected
line of drugs and kindred goods, tastefully arranged, and the business is ac-
corded a liberal patronage in recognition of the honorable methods pursued
by the house.
In September, 1875, Mr. Perry was married, in Mount Carroll, to Miss
Sophia E. Shirk, a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Stauffer) Shirk. They
have become the parents of three children: Raymond, a resident of New
York city, who married Emily Russell, a niece of Sol Smith Russell, the re-
nowned actor; William H., who is a senior in the medical department of the
Northwestern University, and who married Miss Mary A. Davis, by whom
he has one child, Sophie Marie; and Linda, the wife of E. W. Aument, of
Sterling, by whom she has one son, Richard Perry Aument.
The parents are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which
they are deeply and helpfully interested, and Mr. Perry is serving as one of
the deacons. Politically he was a republican until recent years, but has now
very strong tendencies toward the prohibition party. He resides at No. 408
West Third street. His worth and reliability as a business man and citizen
are widely known and have gained him classification with the representative
and honored residents of this city.
ADAM C. LEINBACH.
Adam C. Leinbach, who has long been actively and successfully asso-
ciated with agricultural interests in Whiteside county, and is now a well
known real estate dealer of Sterling, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania,
near Reading, July 3, 1855. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Leinbach, was
also a native of Pennsylvania, but of German descent. He was a farmer by
occupation, and both he and his wife. Mrs. Catharine Leinbach, lived to an
advanced age and reared a large family. Their son, James Leinbach, was
born in the Keystone state, made farming his life work and is now living
retired in Reading, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-one years. He mar-
ried Catharine Ahrens, who was likewise born in Pennsylvania, although her
father was a native of France. On coming to the new world he settled in
Berks county, where he followed carpentering and farming. Both Mr. and
Mrs. James Leinbach are still living, and are members of the Reformed
church. Their family numbered ten children, six sons and four daughters:
Adam C., of Sterling; Reuben, of Reading, Pennsylvania; James, who is
living in Richmond, Pennsylvania; John, deceased; Calvin and Washington,
who are residents of Reading; Mary; Katie; Angeline; and Hattie.
In the county of his nativity Adam C. Leinbach was reared upon a farm
and attended the common schools, remaining under the parental roof until
he had attained his majority. He spent one year, however, in working at the
carpenter's trade. He was afterward employed at farm labor by the month
920 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
and, thinking to have better business opportunities in the middle west, he
came to Sterling in 1877 and soon secured a position as a farm hand. De-
siring that his labors, however, should more directly benefit himself, he
rented a farm for two years, after which he married. He then continued to
cultivate rented land until about 1888, when, with the capital he had saved
from his earnings, he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Genesee township,
Whiteside county, and devoted four years to its further development and im-
provement. He then sold that property and bought one hundred and sixty
acres known as the David Wetzel farm, which he still owns. He cultivated
it successfully, annually gathering good crops until 1900, when he took up
his abode in the county seat and established a real-estate business. He has
since negotiated many important property transfers, and his well directed
energy and keen business discernment are constituting strong elements in a
gratifying success.
On the 10th of February, 1881, Mr. Leinbach was married to Miss Re-
becca Nance, a daughter of Harvey and Eleanor (Smith) Nance. They have
become the parents of five children : Clarence, who is a farmer of Lee
county, Illinois, married Clara Kaffman, and they have two children, Mildred
and Clarence M. Katie, Henry, John and Calvin are all yet at home.
The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Christian church,
and in the work of the church they take an active and helpful interest. Mr.
Leinbach's political allegiance is given to the republican party, and he is a
public-spirited man, who withholds his aid and cooperation from no move-
ment for the public, good. In his business career there has been not a single
esoteric phase, on the contrary all has been open and above board, and he
merits the success that he has achieved, and enjoys in full measure the con-
fidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
THOMAS E. ROBINSON.
Thomas E. Robinson is now living retired in Rock Falls, b"ut for many
years was identified with the farming interests of this county, and his labor
was intelligently directed, his sound judgment and unfaltering industry
bringing to him the success which enables him to enjoy many of the com-
forts and some of the luxuries of life without further recourse to the active
duties of business life.
He was born in Coloma township, this county, June 11, 1864, his parent*
being Thomas and Sarah (Hale) Robinson, the former a native of England
and the latter of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The father was born in Lan-
cashire on the 6th of January, 1801, and in the place of his nativity was
reared to manhood. He lost his father when very young, and the support
of his widowed mother and a brother devolved upon him. In early life he
followed the sea, spending three and a half years on one vessel, engaged in
commerce, and visited all the principal seaports of the world. He was after-
ward upon a British man-of-war. The experiences of his life were varied.
HISTORY OP WHITESIDE COUNTY 921
Born and reared in England, he had some unusual adventures during his sea-
faring experience, and after he left the sea he was employed in various ways
in his native land until he resolved to seek a home in America. It was about
1844, in company with a cousin, that he crossed the Atlantic to the new
world. He first located in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he worked
in the mines, receiving much better wages than are paid for such service in
the old country. Carefully saving his earnings, he was soon able to pur-
chase a lot in Pittston, upon which he erected a good residence. He followed
mining for seven or eight years, and during that time was married.
It was on New Year's day of 1848 that Thomas Robinson was joined
in wedlock to Miss Sarah Hale, a native of Pittsburg, and a sister of Mrs. L. L.
Emmons. They remained in Pennsylvania until after the birth of their
two eldest sons, when, attracted by the opportunities of the' middle west, Mr.
Robinson brought his family to Illinois, settling in Coloma township, White-
side county, where he joined his brother-in-law, Mr. Emmons. He found
here a district largely undeveloped and unimproved. The railroads had not
yet been built and Whiteside county seemed far from any commercial center
of importance, so that the early settlers had to depend largely upon what
they could raise and produce. Mr. Robinson first purchased forty acres of
land, upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made.
He also bought a little school house, which he moved onto his farm and con-
verted into a dwelling. Thus, having established a home for his family,
he at once began the cultivation of his place, and with characteristic energy
carried forward the work of tilling the soil until he had brought his farm
under a high state of cultivation. In the early days he had to haul his grain
to Chicago with ox teams. It was a slow and tedious process, but there was
no nearer market. After a time, however, railroads were built, so that it was
less difficult to place the crops on sale at the centers of trade. As he pros-
pered in his undertakings, Mr. Robinson purchased an adjoining tract of
land of forty acres, and also about forty acres in Montmorency township.
As the years passed he converted the once wild land into one of the most
desirable and attractive farms of its size in the locality. In addition to the
tilling of the soil he also gave considerable attention to the raising of horses,
cattle and hog's, and at one time made a sale of hogs to the amount of twelve
hundred and thirty-eight dollars. He also invested in Kansas land, and until
within a short time of his death owned three quarter sections in Grove and
Dodge counties in addition to his farm in this county.
In 1886 he left his farm and removed to Rock Falls, where his remain-
ing days were passed in honorable retirement, save for the supervision which
he gave to his invested interests. He reached the remarkable old age of one
hundred years, one month and seventeen days, and that he retained his
mental and physical faculties largely unimpaired during the evening of life
is indicated by the fact that he transacted business up to within twenty days
of his demise. He was the owner of a number of residences in Rock Falls
and derived from this property, as well as his farms, a substantial and grati-
fying income. Mrs. Robinson passed away ten years prior to the death of
her husband, her death occurring February 13, 1895, when she was seventy
922 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
years of age. Her remains were interred in Rock Falls cemetery, where a
neat monument now mark? her last resting place. They were among the
most honored and worthy pioneer people of the county, being uniformly es-
teemed by reason of their many sterling traits of character, Both Mr. and
Mrs. Robinson were Methodists in religious faith, although the former was
reared in the faith of the Episcopal church. He became a stalwart advocate
of democratic principles, /or he believed their adoption would best concern
the public welfare, yet he never sought nor desired office, nor took an active
part in politics aside from voting. He was recognized as a man of marked
business ability and achieved most creditable success by reason of hLs sound
judgment in business affairs, his perseverance and his unwearied industry.
He was, moreover, a man of sterling character and worth, of undoubted com-
mercial integrity and of high ideals, who enjoyed in unqualified degree the
respect and esteem of all with whom he was associated.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson was blessed with eight children, five
sons and three daughters: Charles, who is now living at Belgrade, Nebraska;
John L., of Rock Falls; William P., also a resident of Belgrade; Rose, the
deceased wife of Marshall Oakley; Carrie, the wife of Paul Jones, of Fresno,
California; Anna; Thomas E. ; and James, deceased.
In taking up the personal history of Thomas E. Robinson, we present to
our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this
part of the state, being a representative of an old pioneer family. He was
reared as a farm boy in Coloma township, early taking his place in the fields
to assist in the plowing, planting and harvesting. The district schools af-
forded him his educational privileges, and when not busy with his text-books
he gave his assistance to his father in the development and improvement of
the home farm until he had attained his majority. Mr. Robinson was mar-
ried at Nelson, Illinois, and then carried on farming on his own account until
1890, when, on account of his wife's ill health, he removed to Rock Falls,
where he has since made his home.
It was on the 5th of November, 1884, that Mr. Robinson was united in
marriage to Miss Lamina J. Stone, of Nelson, this state, a daughter of Burrell
and Isabel (McNeil) Stone. There were two children of this marriage
Isabel, who died at the age of thirteen months and twenty-two days; and
George Lester, who is now living with his mother in Florida. On the 23d
of May, 1899, Mr. Robinson was again married, his second union being with
Miss Rose Carr, of Nevada, Iowa, and they have two children: Revoe and
Opal.
Mrs. Robinson's parents, Benjamin and Abigail (Poole) Carr, are natives
of Iowa, and still live in Nevada, that state, where her father is engaged in
business as a mason and contractor. He is a son of Ananias and Jane
(Franklin) Carr, also residents of Nevada, Iowa, their other children being
William Henry, now deceased; Jesse Edward; Daniel Brimerman, deceased;
Benoni Fortner; Phebe Ellen, deceased; Sarah Jane; and Mary Elizabeth.
The father of this family has one son by a former marriage, James Nathan
Carr, and the mother has also born married twice, her first husband being
John Manifee, by whom she has one son, George Manifee. Her parents were
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 923
Thomas and Polly Franklin. Ananias Carr is a son of Nathan and Sallie
(Willie) Carr. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Rose Robinson was John
Presley Poole, who followed the occupation of farming. He married Ann
Jordan and died at the age of eighty-one years, while his wife passed away
at the age of eighty-six years. -They were the parents of eleven children, six
of whom are now living: Elza, a resident of Nevada, Iowa; John, whose
home is in California; Mary, the wife of William Kerr, of Nevada, Iowa;
George, a resident of Superior, Nebraska; Mrs. Abigail Carr, the mother of
Mrs. Robinson ; and Henry, of Nelson, Nebraska. Another member of the
family reached mature years Louisa, who became the wife of George Hyden
and died, leaving a family. The other children died in early life. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Benjamin Carr were born four children, three daughters and a son:
Rose, now Mrs. Robinson; Myrtle, the wife of John Ost, of Rock Falls;
Laura, the wife of J. H. Anderson, a practicing lawyer of Des Moines, Iowa;
and Frankie, who died at the age of eight years.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and are interested in its work and the extension of its influence.
Politically Mr. Robinson is a republican. For the past eighteen years he
has lived in Rock Falls, where he has valuable property holdings, including
ten good residences and lots, and also two vacant lots. From his property he
derives a good income that enables him to live retired. In former years he
was very active in agricultural lines, and his carefully directed labors
brought to him the success which is now his, making him one of the men
of affluence of the community. The Robinson family has been a prominent
one in the county from pioneer times, and, like his father, Mr. Robinson com-
mands the respect and good will of all who know him.
CHARLES C. McMAHON.
Charles C. McMahon, a member of the Whiteside county bar and now
city attorney of Fulton, was born in Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island
in the gulf of St. Lawrence, June 20, 1860. He is a son of Francis and Rosa
McA'Voy McMahon, both of whom were natives of the north of Ireland
but prior to their marriage came with their respective families to the new
world, settling on Prince Edward Island. The year 1869 witnessed their
arrival in Fulton. Francis McMahon was a malster but following his re-
moval to Whiteside county turned his attention to farming. He rented
land in Fulton township, where he engaged in farming from 1875 until
1900, when he retired from active business life. He is now deceased and his
wife passed away in February, 1905. For many years he was numbered
among the respected and worthy residents of his community and though he
never sought to figure prominently in public life his activity and reliability
in business made him numbered among the substantial citizens. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. McMahon were born the following children: Ellen, the wife of
N. J. Oaks, of Clinton, Iowa; Annie, the wife of Austin Bell, of Fulton;
924 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
James, deceased; Charles C., of this review; Francis, of Fenton township,
Whiteside county ; Catherine, who is the wife of James McDonald and resides
in Portland, Oregon ; John, of St. Louis, Missouri ; Irene D., the wife of
H. L. Snyder, of Fulton ; and Mary and Maggie, who died in childhood.
Charles C. McMahon acquired his more specifically literary education
by pursuing the public-school course on Prince Edward Island and in Lyons,
Iowa. He also attended school in Fulton township, this county, and after-
ward qualified for the practice of his chosen profession as a student in the
Northern Illinois College of Fulton. There he finished his course in 1888
and in June of that year was admitted to the bar. He then associated him-
self for practice with James De Witt Andrews, with whom he was connected
for a year and in 1890 he opened his present office, where he has since been
successfully engaged in the practice of law, having a large and distinctly
representative clientage that has connected him with much important liti-
gation tried in the courts of the district. He prepares his cases with great
thoroughness and care, presents his points with clearness and force and is
rarely, if ever, at fault in applying a legal principle to any phase of the
case at issue. Previous to his admission to the bar he was tax collector of
the township and in 1894 was elected city attorney, a position he has con-
tinuously held to the present time.
On the 1st of January, 1907, Mr. McMahon was married to Miss Bertha
Fischer, of Fulton, a daughter of Herman and Mary (King) Fischer, the
father a native of Germany and the mother of Illinois. Mr. Fischer was
brought to America by his parents at the age of eight years, the family
home being established in Fulton among the earliest residents of this part
of the state.
Mr. McMahon gives his political allegiance to the democracy and fra/-
ternally is connected with the Mystic Workers and the Modern Woodmen.
He has made a deep impress upon the bar of Whiteside county, both for
legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of- a personal char-
acter which impresses itself upon a community. An -excellent presence, an
earnest manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law
and the ability to accurately apply its principles make him an effective and
successful advocate in the courts.
JACOB FELDMAN.
Jacob Feldman, one of the native sons of Morrison, born in 1859, passed
away April 3, 1891. His father, Jacob Feldman, Sr., a native of Germany,
died in March, 1895, at the age of seventy-two years. He came to Morrison
in the '50s and for many years was actively identified with its business in-
terests as proprietor of a restaurant. In his later years he lived retired,
enjoying well-earned rest from the active cares of business. His religious
faith was that of the Lutheran church and in his fraternal relations he was
an Odd Fellow. At the time of the Civil war he was drafted for military
LIBRARY
OF TH
UNIVERSITY OF ILL!0!
JACOB FELDMAN, JR.
JACOB FELDMAX. SR.
LIBRARY
OF THE
DIVERSITY OF ILL!NO!S
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 929
service, but did not go to the front on account of physical disability, which
incapacitated him for active field duty. His political allegiance was given
to the republican party. In early manhood he married Christina Swartz,
who was born in Germany and survived her husband for a number of years,
passing away in 1904, at the age of seventy-five. She, too, was a member of
the Lutheran church and a lady of many estimable traits of character. The
family numbered but two children and the younger died in infancy.
Jacob Feldman, reared in his native city, pursued his early education
in the schools of Morrison and afterward attended a German school at West
Chicago. On putting aside his text-books he entered his father's restaurant
and was associated with him in business until his death. He had a wide
acquaintance in the city where his entire life was passed and where his many
good qualities won for him favorable regard and popularity. In business he
was energetic and thoroughly reliable and was therefore regarded as a worthy
representative of the commercial interests of Morrison.
In 1882 Mr. Feldman was married to Miss Carrie Schoch, who was born
in Geneva; Kane county, Illinois, in 1860, a daughter of Christian and Mag-
dalena Schoch, the former a farmer by occupation. Both died during the
infancy of their daughter, who was adopted by her uncle, Martin Schoch.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Feldman were born four children : Florence, who was
born in 1884 and died in infancy; Alonzo J., who was born in 1886 and is a
stenographer in Chicago; Elsie, born in 1888 and now at home; and Ella
May, born in 1890 and a student in the public schools.
Mr. Feldman owned a fine home and business block in Morrison in
addition to his restaurant interests. Fraternally he was well known, being
affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows and the Masons. He
attained the Knight Templar degree in the latter and the funeral services
were conducted by the commandery of Sterling. His religious faith was
indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church, while his
wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. The fact that many of his
stanchest friends were those who knew him from his boyhood, indicates
that his life was honorable and upright and that he justly merited the con-
fidence and good will of those with whom he was associated. His death was
the occasion of deep regret, not only to his family but' to many of. Morrison's
residents who had learned to esteem and honor him.
J. L. CRAWFORD.
J. L. Crawford, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was the
founder of Crawford Brothers' general store at the corner of First avenue
and Third street. Sterling, in the year, 1858. This store was built by Thomas
Robinson, president of the AVinnebago National Bank at Rockford, Illinois,
under the supervision of James L. Crawford. The two brothers, James L.
and David M. Crawford, were widely known and did an extensive and suc-
cessful business with the farming community. They occupied the second
930 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
room in the frame building above mentioned. They were highly esteemed
for their integrity of character and honest business dealing. Both men
have long since passed away, but their memory is still fresh and dear to
many of the old settlers who are yet living.
JAMES COBORNE HUBBART.
James Coborne Hubbart, who for many years might well have been
termed the first unofficial resident of Erie, so prominent was he in the upbuild-
ing and development of the village, passed away May 18, 1886, and his death
was the occasion of the most deep and widespread regret, for all who knew
him had come to esteem and honor him and to appreciate what he did for the
public welfare. He was born in Broome county, New York, October 12,
1822, a son of Elisha and Irena (Coborne) Hubbart. who were likewise na-
tives of the east. Representatives of both the Coborne and Hubbart families
settled here in pioneer times before the land had come into market. The father
of our subject was a native of Morris county, New Jersey, and in early boyhood
removed to the state of New York, where he resided until after his marriage.
Attracted by the opportunities of this section of the country, which was then
"the far west," he came to Illinois in February, 1838, and established his
home in Union Grove township. He thus became identified with agricultural
interests in Whiteside county, where both he and his wife continued to reside
until they were called to their final rest. Their family numbered eight
children, of whom James C. Hubbart was the second in order of birth. The
family suffered many hardships and privations incident to pioneer life dur-
ing their early residence in this part of the state. They had left New York
in the spring of 1837, journeying westward by team. On reaching Mottville,
Michigan, however, their funds became exhausted and they were compelled to
remain in that town during the summer and succeeding winter. In the fol-
lowing February they again started for Whiteside county, reaching their
destination about the 25th of that month. The Coborne family had already
come to this county, having arrived in July. 1837, and had made a clearing
for Elisha Hubbart of one hundred and sixty acres of land located on sec-
tions 31 and 32, Union Grove township. Upon this claim Mr. Hubbart
erected a log cabin, and in August of that year took possession of his new
home. In May of the following year he was called upon to mourn the loss of
his wife, who passed away on the 12th of that month. The father survived
only until the 8th of March, 1841. The children were all in their minority,
and Benjamin Coborne was appointed as administrator of the estate.
James C. Hubbart was a youth of sixteen years when the family arrived
in Whiteside county. Upon his father's death, which occurred when the son"
was nineteen years of age, he went to the Wisconsin pineries, where he re-
mained for a year. Upon his return he found that another party had lo-
cated on the claim which his father had secured, and in 1845 he and his
brother, Simpson, purchased this claim, then comprising two hundred acres
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 931
of land. They took up their abode thereon and began the development and
improvement of the farm, their sister. Irena, acting as their housekeeper. On
the 1st of January, 1852, Simpson Hubbart was married and brought his
wife to the claim, and in 1855 James C. Hubbart was married. He then
sold his interest in the original farm to his brother, and purchased the farm
which became his place of residence, and which had formerly belonged to
his wife's parents.
It was on the 14th of October, 1855, that Mr. Hubbart wedded Miss
Maria L. Putney, who was born in Adams, Massachusetts, October 10, 1834,
and was brought to this county by her parents in 1837, soon after the
Indians had been driven away by the Black Hawk war. She was a daughter
of Arthur and Lucinda (Wood) Putney, both natives of the old Bay State.
Her father was the owner of a line of stages operating between Adams,
Massachusetts, and Troy, New York, and on removing westward he dis-
posed of his business interests there, journeying by way of the water route
to Michigan. For a brief period he visited with relatives in Adrian and
there bought teams, after which he drove across the country to Whiteside
county, Illinois, settling in Erie township. He was not long permitted to
enjoy his new home, however, for when this was still a pioneer district he
died of the fever which was so prevalent in the new country in 1844.
His widow afterward married again and lived upon the old homestead until
her death. Their daughter, Mrs. Hubbart, was the only one of three chil-
dren who reached mature years, the other two dying in infancy.
As stated, following his marriage Mr. Hubbart purchased the farm
which had previously belonged to his wife's parents. His first investment
in this property made him owner of one hundred and sixty acres, to which
he afterward added from time to time until his possessions included over
five hundred acres of valuable farm land in this county. Upon it he erected
three residences, four barns and other outbuildings, planted an orchard and
made other substantial modern improvements. He usually kept about one
hundred head of cattle, making a specialty of graded shorthorns, and he
also kept from thirty to forty head of cows for dairy purposes. He like-
wise raised high grade horses and a large number of hogs and his live-stock
interests were an important branch of his business, while his cultivation
of crops also brought him gratifying success year by year. In addition
to his valuable home property of over five hundred acres he also owned
two hundred acres of land in connection with Arthur McLean, this tract
being timber and pasture land in Erie township.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hubbart were born three children: Mary I., the
wife of Dr. Eugene Burridge, of Palestine, Illinois ; Ella, the wife of William
H. James, living on the old homestead in Erie township; and James P.,
also of Erie.
The conditions of .life in this county at the time of Mrs. Hubbart's
arrival here were vastly different from those of the present day. Many
desperadoes and horse thieves infested this part of the state and the settlers
had to organize for protection against these lawless characters. Game of
all kinds was plentiful and furnished many a meal for the settlers, venison,
932 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
turkey, and prairie chicken being frequent dishes on the pioneer board.
In those early days there was only one house upon the present site of the
town of Erie and there were no trees in the locality. All grain had to be
hauled to Galena and Chicago with ox-teams and travel was done by private
conveyance. Through the influence of Mrs. Hubbart's father's however, a
line of stages was established from Chicago to Rock Island on the north
side of the river.
When Mr. Hubbart was about twenty* years old he returned to New
York, where he remained for two or three years. He then again came to
this county and owned the Delhi place until he was married, when, as stated,
he removed to the farm formerly owned by his father-in-law, which is now
the property of his widow. He continued to make his home there until
his demise and figured prominently for many years as one of the extensive,
enterprising and successful agriculturists of the county. He also built the
cheese factory which is now conducted as a creamery, employing a man
to conduct this. He likewise built the first grist mill in Erie and it is still
in operation. For a number of years he conducted a general mercantile
store in Erie and at one time was owner of all of the lots on the east side
of Main street. His activity and enterprise made him one of the foremost
citizens of the village, his labors contributing in large measure to its growth
and progress as the years passed. Without invidious distinction he might
well have been designated as the foremost resident of Erie through a num-
ber of years. His early political allegiance was given to the democracy
but his last votes were cast in support of the prohibition party. He took
an active part in good roads and served as road commissioner. Fraternally
he was a Master Mason and was an active, prominent and helpful member
of the Baptist church, his entire life being in harmony with his professions
as a believer in Christian religion. He was never known to take advantage
of another in a business transaction but on the contrary was always straight-
forward and honorable and to his family left not only a valuable estate
but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
JOHN JOSEPH McCUE.
John Joseph McCue, who owns and operates a valuable and up-to-date
farming property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Hopkins
township, was born in this township on the 5th of July, 1868, a son of James
and Margaret (Doyle) McCue. The grandparents were Thomas and Honora
(Ternon) McCue, who lived and died in Ireland.
James McCue, the father of our subject, was born in the parish of Bala-
nakiin, County Galway, Ireland, September 24, 1834, and in November,
1854, when a young man of twenty years, emigrated to America, locating
in Whiteside county. He possessed no financial resources with which to take
up the battle of life in a new country, but his resolute spirit, willing hand-s
and strong physical manhood proved to be ample equipment. For the
first six or seven years after his arrival in this county he was employed as 'a
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 933
farm hand, but in 1859 rented a tract of land, being successfully engaged
in its cultivation for about three years. At the end of that time, by reason
of the exercise of careful economy and unremitting diligence, he had suc-
ceeded in accumulating capital sufficient to enable him to purchase eighty
acres of land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation, and which
eventually became the old homestead. As the years passed he added to his
holdings from time to time, until he is now the owner of nine hundred and
seventy-three acres of rich and productive land in Whiteside county, and is
widely recognized as one of its most successful and enterprising citizens.
About 1898 he removed to the place where he now resides, on section 19,
Hopkins township, having here a beautiful, modern home, and being sur-
rounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries that go to make
life worth living.
On the 1st of March, 1859, Thomas McCue had been married at Dixon,
Lee county, Illinois, to Miss Margaret Doyle, the ceremony being performed
by the Rev. Father Kinady, C. P. Mrs. McCue was a native of Ireland and
a daughter of James and Ellen (Kirk) Doyle, in whose family were the follow-
ing children : Mary, Margaret, John, Patrick, Catherine, Sarah and Ellen. In
the McCue family were six children: William C., who lives on the old home-
stead in Hopkins township; James E., also a resident of that township; Mary,
who wedded James S. Quinn, of Chicago, and died about 1895; Thomas E.,
a resident of Sterling township; John J., of this review; and Edward, who
died when about five years old. Mr. McCue has given each of his children
a good start in life. He is now spending his remaining days in the enjoy-
ment of the fruits of his former toil and, having lived in this county for
more than n half century, is widely and favorably known as one of its repre-
sentative and influential residents.
John Joseph McCue acquired his education in the common schools and
assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until several years after
he had attained his majority, when he was married and established a home
of his own on section 36, Hopkins township. His farm consists of one hun-
dred and sixty acres, and is one of the best improved properties in the county,
being equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm
of the twentieth century. The drive to the residence is entered through an
automatic swing gate of the latest device, and the cement walks and many
other modern improvements give evidence of the enterprise and progressive
spirit of the owner. The fields annually return golden harvests as a reward
for the care and labor he bestows upon them, and he has long been recog-
nized as one of the wide-awake and prosperous agriculturists of his com-
munity.
On the 12th of October, 1898, Mr. McCue was united in marriage to
Miss Anna C. Gronis, a daughter of Charles and Bridget (McDermott) Gronis,
further mention of whom is made on another page of this work. Unto our
subject and his wife have been born six children, five of whom are now living:
Mary Frances, Jennie Loretta, John Joseph, Charles Joseph and Leo.
In his political views Mr. McCue is a democrat, while the religious faith
of the family is indicated by their membership in the Catholic church. Hav-
934 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ing spent his entire life in this county, Mr. McCue is well known, and has
gained the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been associated,
for his life has ever been upright and honorable in all relations, and he is now
surrounded by many comforts, a beautiful home and a family of bright and
interesting children.
C. H. ATWOOD.
The spirit of enterprise and progress which is dominant in the middle
west and has led to the rapid upbuilding of this section of the country is
manifest in the life of C. H. Atwood, a leading business man and representa-
tive citizen of Sterling, where he is successfully conducting an extensive
grocery and meat market. The success he has achieved and it is most
creditable is due entirely to his well directed labors, his commendable am-
bition and strong purpose and perhaps no history given in this volume indi-
cates more clearly the value and true rewards of character and of unwearied
diligence.
Mr. Atwood was born in Ogle county, Illinois, near Stillman Valley,
February 6, 1863, his parents being Patten and Hannah (McPherson) At-
wood, both of whom were natives of Canada. Their family numbered but
three children, the eldest being Ira, a resident of Kansas; and the youngest.
Edward Atwood, of Rockford, Illinois. The father was a farmer by occupa-
tion and on coming to the United States settled in Ogle county at an early
day, there following general agricultural pursuits. After the outbreak of
the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union and became a member of
a regiment of Illinois volunteer infantry. He laid down his life on the
altar of his country, dying in a hospital in Buffalo, New York. His wife
still survives him and now makes her home in Rockford. She is a consistent
and faithful member of the Methodist church, to which Mr. Atwood also
belonged.
C. H. Atwood was only two and a half years old when he became a
resident of Whiteside county. Here he was reared by James Scoville in
Genesee township and his education was acquired in the district schools and
in the business college of Rockford. He afterward took up his abode in
Sterling, where he was connected with various business interests. At length
he began clerking in the grocery store which he now owns, entering this
establishment as an employe in 1882. When the firm by whom he was em-
ployed closed out their business Mr. Atwood became the successor in the
enterprise in partnership with L. L. Johnson and one year later bought
out Mr. Johnson's interest, since which time he has conducted the business
alone. He has gradually developed a trade of mammoth proportions, em-
ploys a number of clerks and does a most excellent business.
On the 20th of November, 1886, Mr. Atwood was married to Miss Clara
L. McCallister, a daughter of H. W. and Annie (Werntz) McCallister. They
now have one daughter, Lura, and the family residence, is at No. 309 West
Eleventh street, where Mr. Atwood built an attractive home in 1906.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 935
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr.
Atwood is serving as treasurer. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp,
to the Improved Order of Redmen, to the Knights of Pythias and to the
Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. He is also captain of the
Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias and is prominent among his
brethren of these fraternities. His strongly marked traits of character are
his close application, his earnest purpose and his unwearied diligence. He
early came to a realization of the fact that there is no royal road to wealth
and he resolved to win success if it could be done by honorable, persistent
effort. The result is well known to all his fellow townsmen and his position
in the business circles of Sterling is a most enviable one.
WILHELM H1NRICHS.
The agricultural interests of Mount Pleasant township find a worthy
representative in Wilhelm Hinrichs, who is located on the southeast quarter
of section 13, owning here one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is
known as the old P. C. Stone farm. He also has one hundred and forty-nine
acres in Hopkins township, and deserves much credit for what he has accom-
plished, his success being due to his well-directed and persistent efforts. A
native of Germany, he was born in Oldenburg, August 4, 1839, his parents
being M. F. and Anna (Johnson) Hinrichs, both of whom died in Germany,
where they were respected farming people. Their family numbered four
children. Henry, the eldest, died in Germany, but two of his sons are in
America Max, who is successfully following farming in the state of Wash-
ington, and Robert, who is a bookkeeper in British Columbia. Wilhelm, of
this review, is the second son of the family. Wilhelmina died unmarried.
Henrietta is the wife of John Siebles, a resident farmer of Germany.
Wilhelm Hinrichs was reared in the land of his birth, and is indebted
to its public school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed.
In 1866 he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, and worked for several months
for Charles Ward. He was practically empty-handed when he arrived in
America, but he possessed a resolute spirit and strong determination, and
early realized the fact that all honorable success depends upon close applica-
tion and unremitting effort. After remaining with Mr. Ward for several
months he was employed by a farmer near Dixon for two years, and in the
meantime attended school to some extent in order to acquire a knowledge
of the English language. He next went to Mount Pleasant township, White-
side county, where he rented a farm for several years. He was successful in
his agricultural interests, and finally acquired capital sufficient to enable hiri
to purchase the farm upon which he now resides. He bought this property
in 1880, paying for it the sum of fifty-seven and a half dollars per acre, which
was the highest price paid for land in this locality up to that time. He
secured one hundred and sixty acres, which constitutes his present place of
residence, and here he has followed general farming, raising both grain and
936 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
stock. In 1895 he bought the farm just across the road, for which he paid
sixty dollars per acre, and he has since made many improvements upon that
place. In 1892 he built his present comfortable and commodious residence,
also has good substantial barns and outbuildings and uses the latest improved
machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He has added to his place
many modern accessories and conveniences and his farm is now an attractive
feature of the landscape.
In 1869 Mr. Hinrichs was married to Miss Eliese Loss, who was born
February 23, 1849, in the same section of Germany in which the birth of
her husband occurred. Her parents were Henry and A. M. (Johnson) Loss,
and the former was a tailor by trade. They came to Whiteside county, Illi-
nois, in 1869, settling in Hopkins township, where they lived until called to
their final rest. The father died in 1901, at the age of eighty-four years,
while the mother passed away in 1883, at the age of sixty-five years. Mrs.
Hinrichs has one sister, Minnie, who became the wife of Henry Hayen, a
farmer residing in Genesee township, this county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hinrichs were born eight children, of whom five are
yet living. Martin, born in 1871, resides near his father in Hopkins town-
ship, and married Miss Lydia Gelken. Hugo, who was born in October,
1872, and resides near his father's place in Mount Pleasant township, married
Hannah Minos, whose people reside in Sterling. They have three children-
Lawrence, Elmer and Louisa. Nettie, born July 18, 1877, is at home. Adolph
died when nearly seven years of age. Willie died at the age of eleven years.
Ernest, born March 17, 1885, assists his father in carrying on the home
place. Alma, born April 30, 1890, is a student in the high school. One
child died in infancy. Mr. Hinrichs votes with the republican party and
believes thoroughly in its principles and policy, but is not an office seeker.
He belongs to the German Lutheran church, of which his wife is also a mem-
ber, and in the community they are held in high esteem. Mr. Hinrichs de-
serves much credit for his success in the business world. Coming to the
United States with very limited means, he knew that if he would win pros-
perity it must be gained through much earnest and self-denying effort. He
has put forth every effort to achieve prosperity, and as the years have gone
by has made judicious investments and is now in possession of two valuable
farms which annually return to him a gratifying income.
RUBIN HENRY RAMSDELL.
Rubin Henry Ramsdell is a contractor and mason of Sterling, whose
labors have been an element in the substantial improvement of the city.
Moreover, his life record proves that success is not a matter of genius as held
by some, but is the outcome of clear judgment, experience and unfaltering
diligenea for upon these qualities Mr. Ramsdell has builded his present pros-
perity.
c
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O2
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 939
He was born in Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois, October 23,
1855, being one of the four children of Winslow and Hannah (Knight)
Ramsdell. His paternal grandfather, Job Ramsdell, was a native of Maine
and died in that state when well advanced in years. There were two brothers
who came from England at an early day and settled in the Pine Tree state,
thus founding the family in the new world. The maternal grandfather of
R. H. Ramsdell was Peter Knight, also a native of Maine and a farmer by
occupation. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, was given a land
warrant for his services and came west at an early day and with his warrant
secured a claim in Winnebago county, Illinois, near Rockford, where he
spent his remaining days, passing away at a very advanced age. He was
twice married and his first wife, the grandmother of Mr. Ramsdell, died in
early womanhood. Their children were Sylvia, Hannah, Daniel, and Wil-
liam. After losing his first wife Peter Knight wedded Miss King, and to
them were born five children: Almeda, Charles, Sarah, Ann, and Elzura.
The Ramsdell and Knight families became connected through the mar-
riage of Winslow Ramsdell and Hannah Knight, both of whom were natives
of Maine and lived at Portland. The father was a ship carpenter in the
east. In 1841 he removed westward to Rockford, Illinois, and built the
second house in South Rockford, when it was known as Forest City. He
enlisted in 1861 for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company
E, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Boyd, but died
October 12, 1862, aged forty-eight years. His wife survived him until April,
1892, and passed away at the age of seventy-six years. Of their family of
three sons and a daughter, Nathaniel and Lucy are both deceased, the latter
having been the wife of Albert Beecher. Nathaniel married Laila Kemp.
The two surviving sons, Daniel and Rubin, are both residents of Sterling.
Daniel married Louisa Norton.
Spending his boyhood days in Rockford, Rubin H. Ramsdell was a
student in the public schools and after acquiring a good English education
secured employment in a brickyard, where he learned the brick-maker's
trade. This was the initial step which led to his present connection with the
building interests of the city. Removing to Sterling in 1871, he engaged in
the manufacture of brick here for about nineteen years and in the meantime
began contracting. He has supplied brick for most of the large buildings
of the city. He now has a liberal patronage, and as a contractor and mason
his labors have been an important element in the adornment as well as the
substantial improvement of Sterling.
On the 27th of October, 1880, Mr. Ramsdell was married to Miss
Barbara Smith, a daughter of Christian and Barbara (Reichenbach) Smith,
who were natives of Wittenburg, Germany, and on coming to America set-
tled in Pennsylvania, where they were married. They arrived in Illinois in
1851, taking up their abode in Sterling, and Mr. Smith followed farming,
although he was a tailor by trade. He rode from Sterling to Morrison on
horseback to get his naturalization papers to enable him to vote for Abra-
ham Lincoln. He was twice married, his first union being with Annie
Pfeiffer, who died leaving three children, while they were still residents of
940 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Germany. The father afterward started for America with his little family,
but one child died on the voyage and was buried at sea. The others are
' Christ and Charles Smith. By his second marriage, to Barbara Reichenbach,
Mr. Smith had one son and five daughters, namely : Mary, the wife of Arnold
Mulford; Frederick; Barbara, now Mrs. Ramsdell; Sophia, the wife of Wil-
liam Mulf ord ; Louisa, wife of G. W. Rubright ; Lilly, the wife of John Cole-
man, of Chicago. The father died in December, 1900, when eighty-seven
years of age, his birth having occurred September 19, 1813. His wife, the
mother of Mrs. Ramsdell, died in 1870, at the age of forty-four years.
.Mrs. Ramsdell was born in Rock Falls, Whiteside county, Illinois, June
3, 1861, and was educated in the Central school in Sterling. By her mar-
riage she has; become the mother of eight children, five sons and three daugh-
ters, of whom Hannah, Lucy, Thomas and Lester are still living, while four
died in early childhood. Hannah is now the wife of John F. Shuler, on
the Pine Row farm in Montmorency township, while Lucy is an art student.
The parents are members of St. John's Lutheran church and Mr. Rams-
dell belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. 0. 0. F., and to the Knights of the
Globe. Politically he is a republican and has served as school director, but
otherwise has held no public offices. He owns a beautiful brick residence
at the corner of Broadway and Fourth streets, together with several other
residence properties in Sterling and Rock Falls, from which he derives a
gratifying income, having placed his money in the safest of all investments
real estate. His time and energies, however, have largely been given to
industrial interests. His business has met competition in a rivalry of merit
rather than in a war of prices. He has put a premium on high-grade work
by employing high-grade workmen and paying them their legitimate share
of the profits which their talents have brought to the business. He has aimed
at high standards in his service to the public and in all of his business rela-
tions is above reproach.
JOHN PERSON.
Jolm Person, who now enjoys well earned rest from the cares of an ac-
tive business life by reason of his well directed energy and enterprise in former
years, is living retired in a commodious and attractive residence at No. 207
East Seventh street, in Rock Falls. He was born in Skone, Sweden, Septem-
ber 27, 1835, his parents being Per and Ida (Hogan) Person, also natives of
that country. The father followed farming as a life work and passed away
in the land of his birth at a very advanced age, his wife surviving him for
some years. Their family numbered two sons: John, of this review; and
Per, who lives on the old homestead in Sweden.
John Person acquired his education in the schools of his native land and
remained on the home farm until he had attained the age of twenty-eight
years, when, in the year 1863, he crossed the briny deep to America, having
heard many favorable reports concerning the advantages and opportunities
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 941
offered in the new world. He first took up his abode in De Kalb county,
Illinois, where he was employed at farm labor by the month. Toward the
close of the Civil war he located in Nashville, Tennessee, and worked for the
government as a carpenter, being engaged in building houses for the soldiers.
In 1869 he came to WMteside county, Illinois, and bought a farm of
eighty acres in Hume and Tampico townships, the residence being situated
in Hume, and the outbuildings in Tampico township. At the time he pur-
chased the property it was a tract of wild prairie land, but as the years have
gone by he has brought it under a high state of cultivation and has added
many improvements in the shape of buildings, fences, etc. He also bought
more land from time to time, and now has two hundred acres of productive
and arable farming property, which returns to him a good income. In
October, 1905. he retired from active agricultural pursuits, and removed to
Rock Falls, where he has since lived in the enjoyment of the fruits of his
former toil, having rented the farm to his youngest son, who is now success-
fully engaged in its operation. Mr. Person is one of the pioneer settlers who
bore an active part in the work of early development and improvement here,
and he is one of the public-spirited and enterprising citizens of the county,
giving his support to many measures calculated to prove of general good.
On the 2d of November, 1869, Mr. Person was united in marriage to
Miss Lena Olsen, a daughter of John and Bertha (Danielson) Olsen, and a
granddaughter of Ole and Eliza Nelson. Her grandparents on the maternal
side were Daniel and Eliza Person, the latter living to be more than ninety
years of age. The parents of Mrs. Person were natives of Sweden, and lived
in that country until eight years after their marriage, when the father sol
their home there for two years. On the expiration of that period they re-
moved to Tampico township, Whiteside county, purchasing eighty acres of
the farm which he had been operating and crossed the Atlantic to America.
Mr. and Mrs. John Olsen first located near Dixon, Illinois, in 1853, and made
land. The father first built a sod house which contained one door and one
window, the roof being made by putting slough grass on poles. It was cov-
ered with sod and never leaked, but eventually the mice got into it and be-
came quite troublesome, as there were no cats to be had. This sod house was
considered quite a curiosity and neighbors came for several miles to see it.
Mr. and Mrs. Olsen and their family lived in that primitive structure for
three years, and then the father built a log house, which he covered with
grass and sod. It was later unroofed by a tornado, and he subsequently put
a shingle roof on the log cabin. Later he erected a fine modern residence,
and as time went on kept adding to his landed possessions until at the time
of his death he had seven eighty-acre tracts of rich and productive land.
His demise occurred February 11, 1888, at the age of sixty-nine years and
eleven months, while his wife passed away September 2, 1901, when seventy-
nine years of age. They were widely recognized as worthy pioneer settlers
of "Whiteside county, and gained a large number of friends by reason of their
genuine personal worth and upright lives. They had a family of eight
children, six of whom grew to maturity: Mrs. Lena Person; Oliver D. and
Andrew Olsen, of Tampico township; Joseph, who resides in Rock Falls;
942 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Augustus, a Lutheran preacher of Winncpeg, Canada; John W., who lives on
the old homestead; and two who died in infancy.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Person have been born four sons. William
Henry, who makes his home in Montmorency township, married Ida Elmen-
dorf, and has three children : Henry W., Pansy and Melvin. Carl Oscar, of
Eock Falls, wedded Ella Elmendorf. Victor Emanuel, who also resides in
Montmoreucy township, married Martha Murray, and they have three chil-
dren: Lena Lucile, Kenneth and Bcrnice. Joshua Augustus operates the
home farm, and was united in marriage to Miss Flora Murphy. All the sons
of John Person were raised to agricultural pursuits, and are respected and
enterprising residents of their respective communities.
In his political views the subject of this review is a republican, giving
unfaltering support to the party. Both he and his wife are members of the
Swedish Lutheran church and are widely and favorably known, for they have
lived in Whiteside county for almost forty years, and throughout that entire
period their lives have ever been guided by honorable and lofty principles.
Coming to America in young manhood, Mr. Person here found the opportuni-
ties which he sought, and through their careful utilization he gained the
measure of success that now classes him with the representative and prosper-
ous residents of the county and enables him to spend the evening of life
amid all of the comforts and many of the luxuries which a modern civiliza-
tion affords.
SEBASTIAN AUGUST SCHMOEGER.
Sebastian August Schmoeger is now living retired in Sterling, and his
rest is well merited, for through thirty-nine years he was actively connected
with commercial interests here. Coming to America from Germany, his na-
tive land, at the age of sixteen years, he afterward attended high school to
acquaint himself with the English language and promote his general knowl-
edge. While thus engaged he provided for his own support by labor during
the day, and in that way displayed the elemental strength of his character,
whereon he has builded his success.
He was born in Saxony, near Meiningen, November 14, 1850. His pa-
ternal grandfather, John Schmoeger, was a butcher by trade, and followed
that pursuit in German}'. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Helen Schmoeger,
lived to an advanced age. They reared a small family, including Sebastian
Schmoeger, Sr., who was a native of Germany, and became a butcher of
Meiningen. where for many years he carried on business, and there passed
away in 1894, at the age of seventy-five years. He married Anna Catherine
Siemon, also a native of that country and a daughter of Johan Adam Siemon.
Her father was a farmer by occupation and both he and his wife also reached
advanced years. Their daughter, Mrs. Schmoeger, passed away in 1892, at
the age of seventy-two years. Both the parents of our subject are members
of the Lutheran church. Their family numbered four children, three sons
HISTORY OF WHITESTDE COUNTY 943
and a daughter: Helen Magdalena, the wife of Frederick Weh, who is liv-
ing near Meiningen, Germany; Frederick Adam, who has remained in the
fatherland; Sebastian A., of this review; and Frederick August, deceased.
Sebastian A. Schmoeger remained in Germany until about sixteen years
of age, and during that time acquired a common school education. In ISG'i
he came to the United States, settling in Peru, Illinois, where he attended
night school, and in the daytime followed the butcher's trade. He there re-
mained for two years, and through his diligence and careful expenditure he
was enabled to embark in business on his own account, when he removed to
Sterling in 1868. Here he opened a market, which he conducted with grow-
ing success until the 1st of October, 1907, a period of thirty-nine years. As
a business man he was thoroughly reliable, as well as energetic, and the con-
fidence which he merited gained for him a very desirable patronage and made
his success most gratifying. While he has retired from commercial pur-
suits, he is still a director and stockholder in the First National Bank.
On the 24th of January, 1874, Mr. Schmoeger was married to Miss Anna
K. Salzmaim, a daughter of Andreas and Anna Martha (Schuetrumpf) Salz-
mann. Her parents were natives of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and in their
family were four sons and a daughter, but the sons are all now deceased,
leaving Mrs. Schmoeger as the only surviving member of the family. Mr.
Salzmann died in Germany at the age of fifty-six years. His widow after-
ward came to America on a visit and passed away in 1893, at the age of
seventy-four years, her death resulting from la grippe. Her father was
George Schuetrumpf, who died at the age of seventy-five years, while her
mother was Mrs. Anna Katherine (Selig) Schmoeger. Mrs. Schmoeger's
brothers, all .of whom are now deceased, held responsible positions in Ger-
many. George Salzmann was an officer in the German army, and the hard-
ships endured during the German and French war of 1871 were too severe
for him, and he died the following year. John Salzmann was also an officer
in that war, and died at the age of fifty-four years. Peter Salzmann like-
wise served as an officer in the German army during that period of hostili-
ties, and died about four years later. Henry Salzmann was foreman in a
large soap, oil and perfume factory in Germany. He served as a soldier in
the regular army and lived and died in Alsace-Lorraine.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schmoeger have been born five children. Anna
Helen, the eldest, is the wife of Clare Fitch, formerly of Sterling, but now of
Peoria, Illinois, and they have four children, Marie Magdalene, Katherine
Helen, Lee and George. Frederick A. Schmoeger is manufacturing Sterling
stove polish at Sterling, Illinois. He married Florence Utley, but she is
now deceased. Martha E. is the wife of Lawrence E. Gould, and they reside
in Chicago. Harry J. is a traveling salesman, making his home in Sterling.
William G. is attending college at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmoeger and three of their children are members of St.
John's Lutheran church, and Mr. Schmoeger belongs to Sterling Lodge, No.
174, I. 0. 0. F., and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His po-
litical allegiance is given to the republican party, but the honors and emolu-
ments of office have no attraction for him. He has a beautiful home, which
944 HISTORY OF \YIIITE 311 :K COUNTY
he erected in 1880, and has been a prosperous merchant, being one of the
oldest business men of the town, highly respected for his integrity of char-
acter and his honorable dealings. His life record should serve to encourage
nnd inspire others, for he came to the new world empty-handed and has since-
been dependent entirely upon his own resources for his success. He has
proved that obstacles and difficulties can be overcome by determined purpose,
and that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
JOHN ROSENGREN.
John Rosengren, a representative of the farming interests of Coloma
township, living on section 36, not far from Rock Falls, was born in Sweden,
April 12, 1858, his parents being Gustave B. and Marie (Johnson) Rosen-
gren. It was in the year 1870 that the parents, bidding adieu to friends and
native land, sailed with their family for America and, making their way
into the interior of the country, settled at Rock Falls. The father was a
skilled painter, and for many years was employed by the Keystone Manu-
facturing Company at Rock Falls.
John Rosengren was about twelve years of age when his parents left their
native country and came to the United States, so that he was largely reared
in Whiteside county, pursuing his education in the public schools. After
putting aside his text-books he began providing for his own support and re-
mained in the employ of others until he was about twenty-three years of
age, when he was married, and began farming on his own account. He
has since carried on general agricultural pursuits, and his diligence and
energy constitute strong factors in the success which has attended him.
It was on the 13th of February, 1883, that Mr. Rosengren wedded Miss
Anna Peterson, a daughter of Andrew and Louise Peterson. She was born
in Sweden and her parents died in that country when she was but three years
of age. The year 1872 witnessed her arrival in America. By this marriage
there have been born four children : Herbert, Lloyd, Mabel and Hazel.
On beginning farming on his own account Mr. Rosengren first rented
the Kits Miller farm of three hundred and twenty acres, and remained thereon
for a year, after which, he took up his abode upon the farm which he now
occupies on section 36, Coloma township. Here in connection with general
farming he has made a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle and road and
draft horses, and his livestock interests have been an important branch of
revenue to him. The farm comprises four hundred and eighty-seven acres
of rich and productive land, and Mr. Rosengren is widely known as a very
successful and prosperous farmer, whose labors are carefully directed, while
the results that follow are, therefore, most desirable.
Mr. Rosengren takes an active interest in politics, and is a stalwart sup-
porter of the republican party. He believes firmly in its principles, and
does all in his power to promote it.~ success. He is now serving for the third
term as commissioner of highway.', and it was through his endeavors and
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 945
influence that the new bridge was built over the canal. He has been the
leader in several political contests, and has always been victorious. His de-
votion to the public good is unquestioned, and his loyalty to the general
welfare has been manifest in many tangible ways. He has served as school
director for several terms, and' is a member of the Mystic Workers, belonging
to Lodge No. 32, at Rock Falls. He may truly be called a self-made man,
working his way upward through determination and energy, realizing that
there is no excellence without labor, and that in business, as well as in every
other connection of life, honesty is the best policy.
CHARLES A. CLARK.
While there has been nothing spectacular in the life history of Charles
A. Clark, it is none the less important. As a merchant he has conducted
a constantly growing business, winning that advancement which comes
through indefatigable energy and stalwart purpose. He now deals in hats
and men's furnishing goods, having a well selected stock at No. 6 East Third
street, in Sterling.
Mr. Clark was born in Morrison, Illinois, August 10, 1862, his parents
being John and Jane (Boyd) Clark, who were natives of Fredonia, New
York, and of Scotland, respectively. The paternal grandfather was also a na-
tive of New York, and the family is of English descent. John Clark was a
young man when he came to the west, settling in Morrison, Illinois, where
he followed various pursuits. He ran the first dray line and later engaged
in the meat and ice business, while subsequently he became an auctioneer.
In community affairs he was quite prominent and influential and his ability
as a business man and his public-spirited citizenship were widely recognized.
He was a stanch supporter of the democracy, filled the office of alderman,
and on the day of his death, which occurred November' 21, 1895, when he
\vas fifty-live years of age, he was ^appointed to the position of postmaster
of Morrison. His widow still survives him. She is of Scotch lineage, and is
a meiTiber of the Presbyterian church. In their family were four children:
Charles A.; George, deceased; Nettie, who married H. U. Smouse, of Morri-
son, and died February 6, 1908; and Walter, deceased.
Charles A. Clark was reared in Morrison and attended the public schools.
He assisted his father in various ways until he had attained his majority.
He then began clerking in Morrison, where he remained for three or four
years, and in 1884 he arrived in Sterling, where he accepted a clerkship in
the store of R. B. Witmer, in the room which he now occupies. He con-
tinued clerking for three or four years, after which he embarked in business
on his own account, carrying a full line of hats and men's furnishing goods.
A liberal patronage has been accorded him, and the business has proved ,\
profitable investment from the beginning.
On the 8th of July, 1891, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Lena B. Edwards,
a daughter of E. P. and Grace Edwards. They had two children, John and
946 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Harold Edward, but the former died when only five and a half years of age.
Mrs. Clark's parents were New York people, and on removing to the west
settled first in Iowa. They lived in various places in that state, the father
being a railroad man, and their home is now in Jewell, Iowa. Mrs. Clark
attends the Episcopal church.
Mr. Clark is a member of Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ;
Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M. ; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T. ; and
Tabala Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In his political alle-
giance he is a democrat. With his wife and son he resides at No. 302 West
Tenth street, where he built a good residence in 1902. During the years of
his connection with Sterling he has ever occupied an enviable position in
business circles, as one worthy the trust and regard of his fellowmen, while
at the same time he has manifested enterprise and industry which have
proven the foundation of his present success.
GEORGE F. SHULER.
The German nation has contributed probably more largely to the col-
onization and civilization of America than any other people. The stability,
enterprise and indomitable perseverance characteristic of the Teutonic race
constituted the very qualities necessary to promote the growth and develop-
ment of the new World. As the name indicates, George F. Shuler in the
ancestral line, as well as by birth, is a representative of that race. He first
opened his eyes to the light of day in far-away Baden, in the village of Schil-
tach, and was a son of John and Christina Shuler, who passed their entire
lives in Germany. The father was twice married and to the first union there
were born four children, three of whom are now living, namely: Maria, the
wife of James Frank, a resident of Rock Falls; Maciah, who is living in
Morrison, Illinois; and George F. Shuler, who is the eldest of the family.
To the father's second marriage there was born one son, who remained in
Germany.
When James A. Garfield was a youth he was asked what he wanted to
make of himself. His reply was, "First I must make of myself a man."
He was right for failure in manhood means failure in life. Perhaps Mr.
Shuler in his boyhood had never heard of this answer, but the same spirit,
characterized him and led him when a young man to seek the opportunities
of the new world and to try his fortune in the great west, where advantages
do not depend upon the accident of birth, but where men are equal before
the law and must rise by their own merits. In the public schools of his
native land he acquired his education, after which he worked upon a farm
for his father until his emigration to the new world with the exception of
two summers, when he was employed as a harvest hand. Before starting
for America he visited other parts of Germany and France. The favorable
reports that he heard concerning the United States, however, convinced him
that it was the land of opportunity and he therefore resolved to make it his
GEORGE F. SHULER
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 949
home. On the 15th of October, 1853, he left London, England, as passenger
on the North Cumberland, a sailing vessel plying between that port and
New York. After an uneventful voyage of thirty-four days he arrived in the
eastern metropolis and proceeded at once to Butler county, Ohio, where he
sought and found his first employment in this country, being engaged to
husk corn at thirty-five cents per day. He was accompanied by German
friends, none of whom could speak English and they were too timid to ask
for more wages. Later in the season, however, Mr. Shuler obtained work at
cutting wood and doing chores, for which he received the sum of six dollars
per month and his board. This lasted through the winter and in
the spring his wages were increased to nine and a half dollars per
month. He eagerly availed himself of every opportunity to master the
English language and to acquaint himself with business and other conditions
that here existed, and in the meantime he was forming mental plans to come
further west. Although his earnings were very small, by careful expenditure
and close economy he acquired a sufficient sum to enable him to make the
journey and on the last of August, 1854, he started for Illinois, traveling by
rail to Mendota and thence by stage to Dixon, after which he was taken
down the south side of Rock river by John Erie.
On the way Mr. Shuler stopped at the place that he now owns to make
inquiries concerning a man whom he had known in the old world and who
had settled in Sterling township. Soon after his arrival in the new country
a scourge of cholera broke out, from which eight people died. Such a con-
dition was not an encouraging outlook, but Mr. Shuler possessed firm pur-
pose and undaunted energy. He eagerly availed himself of the opportuni-
ties that offered for work and during the first two years after his arrival in
Whiteside county he was employed at farm labor and thus made hjs start.
In the year 1856 was celebrated the marriage of George F. Shuler and
Miss Elizabeth Rorenburg, a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.
The young couple began their domestic life on a tract of land of forty acres
on section 9, Sterling township, only one-half of which was under cultiva-
tion, while the only improvements upon the place were an old log cabin,
sixteen by eighteen feet, and a straw barn. Upon that farm they remained
until 1859, when Mr. Shuler purchased another tract of land of forty acres
from L. S. Pennington, thus becoming owner of eighty acres in one body.
He made a payment of two hundred and thirty dollars upon the second tract,
but owing to the hard times and the failure of the bank in which he had his
money deposited to pay for the land, he lost forty acres of his property. A
year later, however, owing to his untiring energy and good management, he
was enabled to repurchase it. In 1863 from his tract of forty acres he sold
corn to the amount of nine hundred dollars, receiving a dollar and two cents
per bushel. In 1864 he bought of Hiram Platt another tract of forty acres
and his possessions now aggregated one hundred and twenty acres. In 1870
he made a purchase of eighty acres situated across the road from his first
place and upon this tract he established his home. There he occupied at first
a frame house, which at the time of his arrival in the county was considered
the best home in the locality. The building is still standing and is now
950 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
used for coal and wood. Again in July, 1874, Mr. Shuler was able to add
to his land by purchase of one hundred and forty-five acres from John B.
Crawford and five years later he bought one hundred and twenty-two acres,
but subsequently sold twenty acres of this, which left his landed holdings
four hundred and fifty-seven acres. In 1881 he invested in an eighty-acre
tract, formerly the property of Emanuel Landis, later bought four acres
from David Wolf and one hundred and twenty acres from Abraham N.
Landis, so that he had seven hundred and thirty acres in all, which he has
owned since 1893. He now has another eighty-acre tract purchased of Ben-
jamin Landis. This property is divided into five farms, on one of which he
resides, while the other four are leased and bring to him a good rental.
These farms are almost in one body and all are under a state of high culti-
vation and improvement. Mr. Shuler has given much attention to stock-
raising and in feeding stock for the market and has made a specialty of
Poland China and Chester White hogs. He has also raised the cereals best
adapted to soil and climate and both branches of his business have proven
profitable. He is now practically living a retired life, enjoying the benefits
of his years of toil and activity since he first landed, a poor boy, upon the
shores of America. In 1886 he became a stockholder in the First National
Bank of Sterling and in January, 1887, was elected a director and has since
served in that capacity, covering a period of twenty-two years.
Among the other events which have shaped his busy career, Mr. Shuler
has been called upon to administer a number of estates. At one time he was
in charge of seven different estates, which were placed in his care for settle-
ment and at another time he had four. All of this shows the unqualified
confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens, who recognize his excellent
business ability and his thorough trustworthiness and reliability. He pro-
moted the building of the first iron bridge in Whiteside county and it was
through his efforts that the first graveling of roads was commenced. He was
commissioner of highways for over twenty-three years and served as school
director for twenty-six years. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham
Lincoln after becoming a naturalized American citizen and has always been
a stanch republican. With his family he attends the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Shuler lost his first wife April 12, 1904, and on the 6th of February,
1907, he married Mrs. Kate Delp, of Whiteside county. By the first union
there were four children, namely: Eliza, wife of Ferris Landis; John, de-
ceased; Emma R., wife of Chris Miller, of Whiteside county; and Mary R.,
at home.
Viewed by what he has accomplished, Mr. Shuler's life seems remark-
able, and yet when we examine into the secret of his success it will be found
that his prosperity has resulted entirely from his energy, unfaltering labor
and perseverance under the direction of a well-balanced mind and charac-
terized by the most honorable dealings and thorough business principles. His
life work well entitles him to be ranked with those who have been factors
in the growth and development of the county and his name will be held in
high esteem throughout the coming years, while the present generation enter-
tains for him the warmest regard. The great majority of his fellow towns-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 951
men have given to him lasting friendship. He has indeed exemplified the
Garfield wish and made of himself a man a man whom to know is to respect
and honor.
ALEXANDER McCLOY.
Although Alexander McCloy is now in his eighty-second year he is still
to some extent connected with the business interests of Sterling as a real-
estate dealer. Well preserved for one of his years, in spirit and interests
he seems yet in his prime. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
October 16, 1826, and is a grandson of Neal McCloy, who was born in Ire-
land, and on coming to America settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
while his last days were passed in Washington county, that state. He died
at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife, Mrs. Jane (Dickson) McCloy,
died in 1833, when well advanced in age. They were the parents of two
daughters, while their only son, Alexander McCloy, became the father of
our subject.- He, too, was born on the Emerald isle and by his parents was
brought to America in early life. He became a physician and in 1831 re-
moved to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, settling near Pittsburg, while
later he went to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he retired from
the practice of medicine and began farming. His death occurred in that
county in 1871, when he was eighty years of age. In early manhood he
wedded Mary Henderson, a native of the Keystone state and a daughter of
John Henderson, who was a native of Ireland, but both he and his wife
died in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They had one son and five daugh-
ters, including Mrs. McCloy, who departed this life in 1871, at the age of
seventy years. Both the father and mother of our subject were faithful
Christian people, holding membership in the Presbyterian church. Dr.
McCloy served as assistant surgeon in the war of 1812 under Dr. Hume, of
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
In the family were seven children, five sons and two daughters, but
Alexander McCloy of this review is the only one now living. He was but
five years of age when his parents removed to Washington county, Penn-
sylvania, where he was reared and acquired his preliminary education. Later
he attended Jefferson College for one term. He learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed for a short time, and subsequently began clerking in
a store in Lancaster county. In 1852 he went into 'business on his own ac-
count at Strasburg, Pennsylvania, where he resided for about nine years,
when in 1861 he arrived in Sterling and joined his brother-in-law, Zaddock
T. Gait, in the dry-goods business. This relation was maintained until 1871
with good success, after which Mr. McCloy became one of the originators of
the Eureka Manufacturing Company and was with that concern until 1887.
Since that time he has engaged in the real-estate business and although he
has passed the eighty-first milestone of life's journey he still conducts a good
business as a real-estate dealer and keeps well informed concerning the prop-
erty that is upon the market.
952 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
On the 4th of May, 1858, Mr. McCloy was married to Miss Isabella Gait,
a daughter of William and Mary Ann (Thomas) Gait. They became the
parents of two children. William Spencer, the son, is now secretary of the
Charter Gas Engine Company. He married Miss Genevieve Keefer, and they
have one daughter, Isabel. Mary Belle is the wife of George M. Robinson, of
Sterling, president of the Charter Gas Engine Company, and they have
two children, William Alexander and Isabella. The mother, Mrs. Alexander
McCloy, died February 24, 1888, when about fifty-seven years of age. She
was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. McCloy
also belongs, and his political views are in harmony with the principles of
democracy. For about forty-seven years he has been a resident of Sterling
and throughout this period has figured in connection with its business in-
terests, while the course that he has pursued has gained for him the confi-
dence and trust of his fellowmen and gained for him a gratifying measure
of prosperity in the business world.
KARL J. MARTINDALE, D. D. S.
Karl J. Martindale, successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry in
Morrison, was born in Ustick township, this county, in 1880. His father,
John C. Martindale, was a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and
coming to Illinois, settled on a farm in Ustick township, Whiteside county,
where he carried on general agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields under a
high state of cultivation and gaining a good financial reward from the sale
of his crops. He retired from the farm in 1873 and took up his abode in
Fulton, where he engaged in the grain business. For four or five years he
ran a vessel on the Mississippi river and during the administration of Presi-
dent Harrison he served as postmaster of Fulton. At the time of the Civil
war he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting on the 1st of August,
1862, as a member of Company F, Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
However, on the 23d of February, 1863, he was honorably discharged on
account of disability at Memphis, Tennessee. He attained the rank of
sergeant and was a brave and loyal soldier. Following the war he became
a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His political alle-
giance was given the republican party and he served as assessor of his town-
ship. In his fraternal relations he was a Mason and his life was in harmony
with the beneficent spirit of the craft. He married Agnes A. Lowrie, who
was born in Pennsylvania and is now living at the age of sixty-nine years.
She is a member of the Presbyterian church and to her husband was a faith-
ful companion and helpmate on life's journey. She was called upon to
mourn his loss in August, 1901, his death occurring when he had reached
the age of sixty-four years. Their family numbered three children : Edward
L., the eldest, is now a practicing physician of Clinton, Iowa. Walter P.,
the second son. is a member of the bar at Quincy, Illinois.
Karl J. Martindale, the youngest son, was reared to farm life and pur-
sued his education in the schools of Fulton, Illinois, and in the high school
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 953
at Clinton, Iowa. Determining upon the dental profession in his choice of a
life work, he began study in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in
1898 and was graduated on the completion of a course in dental surgery in
1901. He then located for practice at St. Ignace, Michigan, where he re-
mained for one year, after which he came to Morrison, where he has since
remained. A liberal patronage has been accorded him and he ranks among
the able members of the profession, possesses excellent mechanical ability
as well as theoretical knowledge and at all times keeps in touch with the
latest discoveries of the dental profession and the inventions which have
brought dental instruments so close to perfection.
In April, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Martindale and
Miss Minne Belle Robinson, who was born in Morrison, a daughter of Frank
and Carrie (Clarke) Robinson, the former a hardware merchant of Morri-
son. Dr. and Mrs. Martindale are well known socially and have a very warm
circle of friends. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and his political views
are in accord with the principles of the republican party, but while he
thoroughly endorses its platform, he has neither time nor inclination for
office, preferring to give his attention to his professional duties. He is win-
ning success in his chosen calling and is now accorded a gratifying
patronage.
HENRY WHITE.
Henry White, whose landed possessions aggregate two hundred and sev-
enty acres, his home being situated in Lyndon township, is one of the worthy
residents that Germany has furnished to Illinois. He was born in the father-
land, September 22, 1869, and was but three years of age when brought to
the United States by his parents, Henry and Dora Kraken. The mother died
of smallpox soon after their arrival in the new world, and the subject of this
review then went to live with Mathew and Sarah M. White, who resided upon
a farm which our subject now owns. He received from them the care and
attention of loving parents, being legally adopted by them and ultimately
coming into possession of the old homestead. It was upon this farm that
his foster father died, in 1882. Mrs. White still survives, and is now living
in Nebraska, at the age of eighty-nine years, with her daughter, Mrs. Zella
Slater, who is her only living child.
Mr. White is indebted to the public-school system for the educational priv-
ileges he enjoyed and he received thorough training in .farm work, so that he
was well qualified to take charge of a farm of his own when he was enabled
to purchase one. In 1893 he bought one hundred and sixty acres and later
he purchased the old homestead property upon which he now resides, this
comprising one hundred and ten acres. At the present time his landed pos-
sessions aggregate two hundred and seventy acres on sections 3 and 4, Lyndon
township, upon which he has two sets of buildings. His farm is largely
devoted to stock and in this connection he makes good profit from his invest-
954 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
rnent and his labor. In the fall of 1907 he suffered a. loss, having a barn
destroyed by fire but altogether as the years have passed by he has prospered,
owing to his unfaltering diligence and persistency of purpose.
In 1891 Mr. White was married to Miss Cora Pope, who was born in Man-
chester, Iowa, September 27, 1871, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Pope.
They now have three children, Ernest, Ruby and Roy. The parents are well
known in the community and have many warm friends who esteem them high-
ly for their good traits of heart and mind. Mr. White gives his political sup-
port to the republican party and in matters of citizenship is progressive and
enterprising, realizing the fact that earnest labor is the basis of all desirable
success, while in his business dealings he indicates his thorough understanding
and belief in the old adage that honesty is the best policy.
ELAM R. GRUBB.
Elam R. Grubb is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred acres
in Genesee township and his time and attention are devoted to its further
development and improvement. He was born April 1, 1842, in Pennsyl-
vania, the elder of two sons, his brother being Nehemiah Grubb, also living
in Genesee township. The parents were Samuel and Mary (Rowe) Grubb,
both natives of the Keystone state. The father was born February 19,
1816, while the mother's birth occurred December 22, 1805. Mr. Grubb
was a cooper by trade and remained in the east until 1854, when he started
westw r ard with his family, proceeding to Chicago and thence to Geneseo by
rail. From that point he made his way by stage to Sterling, where he
worked at the carpenter's trade for one year and built the first house in
the city, but the structure has since been destroyed by fire. In 1855 he
removed to Genesee township and purchased eighty acres of land on section
33. This he improved, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation
and making his home thereon until 1903, when he sold his land. He now
lives with his son Elam at the very advanced age of ninety-two years. He
is in many respects a remarkable man, having never used glasses and yet
still reading his paper. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and
his life has beeri upright and honorable, winning for him the respect and
confidence of all with whom he is associated. His wife passed away October
12, 1896, at the age of ninety years.
Elam R. Grubb spent the first twelve years of his life in the state of
his nativity and began his education in the public schools there. He then
accompanied his parents on their removal to the west, where he continued
his studies and more and more largely aided in the work of the home farm.
He was married in 1870 and in that year purchased forty acres of land,
where he now lives and which he has improved. It constituted the nucleus
of his present farm and to this he has added from time to time until he
now owns two hundred acres of well improved land. He possesses much
natural mechanical skill and ability and this enables him to keep every-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 955
thing about his place in a state of excellent repair. When farm machinery,
fences or anything about the house get out of order he has the skill neces-
sary to set things right again and everything about his place is kept in
excellent condition. The farm is now a valuable and well improved prop-
erty, from which he derives a good annual income.
On the 27th of February, 1870, Mr. Grubb was married to Miss Eliza
A. Peugh, a daughter of Charles B. and Jane (Louden) Peugh. Mrs. Grubb
was born October 11, 1848, in Indiana, and was four years of age when
brought by her parents to this county. She has become the mother of two
children: Charles L., who is upon the home farm; and Fannie A., the wife
of Earl J. Gilbert, of this township.
Mr. Grubb gives his political allegiance to the republican party but
has never been an aspirant for office. He has served as school director for
several years and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He
believes in maintaining a high standard in the schools and in employing
competent teachers. His time and energies, however, are chiefly given to
his business interests and he now has a valuable farm property, which con-
stitutes one of the attractive features of the landscape.
MICHAEL P. GRAHAM.
Michael P. Graham, proprietor and manager of the Bedal Gold Cure at
Sterling, is one of the native sons of Illinois, having been born in Ogle
county, near Polo, February 15, 1863. He comes of Irish lineage in the
paternal line and his grandfather spent his entire life in that country. His
son, Owen Graham, who was born on the Emerald isle, being a native of
County Roscommon, devoted his entire life to farming and in the early '40s
crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Ogle county, Illinois, before the
era of railroad building in this part of the state. His first wife was a Miss
Kenney, and unto them were born three children, of whom two are now
living: Mary, the wife of Lawrence Kavanaugh, of Sterling; and Catherine,
the wife of John Wentz, of Chicago. Having lost his first wife, Owen Gra-
ham wedded Mary Blouck, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland. They
became the parents of two children, the elder being Nellie Graham, now
the wife of Theodore Coffey, of Greenfield, Iowa. The death of the father
occurred February 3, 1903, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-
two years.
In taking up the personal ' history of Michael P. Graham we present
to our readers the life record of one well known in Sterling. He was reared
in Ogle county, Illinois, upon his father's farm to the age of seventeen
years and attended the district and public schools during that period. He
then began handling horses, making judicious purchases and sales and for
three years carried on the business. On the expiration of that period he
took up the work of general farming and stock-raising upon the old home-
stead and biennially held a sale of stock. In 1891 he established a Bedal
956 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Gold Cure in Polo, Illinois, and in June, 1893, removed his business to
Sterling. He has treated many people for the liquor, morphine, opium
and other drug habits from all parts of the United States and has effected
many cures, so that the victims of these habits have been reclaimed for
lives of usefulness and honorable manhood. In this connection Mr. Graham
is doing a great and important work and his labors are well worthy of com-
mendation.
On the 22d of April, 1885, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Lizzie F.
Vaughn, a daughter of William and Catharine (Burns) Vaughn, who were
natives of Ireland and became early settlers of Carroll county, Illinois. The
father was a railroad man throughout the greater part of his life. In his
family were three children. The death of Mr. Vaughn occurred March 24,
1901, while his wife survived until 1908. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Graham
has been born one son, Eugene William Vaughn Graham, who is attending
the business college in Sterling.
The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Graham be-
longs to the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a democrat but the
honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers
to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He resides at No. 307
Seventh avenue, where he owns a good home, and he also has other residence
property in the city. He has conducted his Gold Cure in Sterling since
1893 and has met with success in this undertaking.
FERNANDO NATHANIEL BREWER.
Fernando Nathaniel .Brewer is a representative of one of Whiteside
county's oldest families. He was but a year old when his father, Daniel
Porter Brewer, came to this county in August, 1837, and settled upon a farm.
At his old home in Massachusetts he had followed the tailor's trade, but after
his removal to the west turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits,
with which he was connected during the greater part of his life. On arriving
in this county all of the experiences of a pioneer life lay before him. Only
five years before had the Black Hawk war occurred and there were still many
proofs of Indian occupancy here. The homes of the settlers were widely
scattered and many of them were little log cabins. The farmer had to depend
almost entirely upon his own skill, ingenuity and labor for everything that
he needed upon the farm. If machinery was broken he must have the neces-
sary skill to repair it, for blacksmith and machine shops were far distant.
The early settler also had to go long distances to mill and market and much
that was consumed by the family had to be raised upon the farm. After a
residence of sixty-six years in this county Daniel P. Brewer passed away
December 12, 1902, having for several years survived his wife. Mrs. Emaline
Brewer, who died November 19, 1894. They spent their last days in Port-
land, living retired from business cares.
As stated, F. N. Brewer was but a year old when brought by his parents
to this county, the family home being established in Portland township. His
MR. AND MRS. F. N. BREWER
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 959
birth had occurred in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, July 23, 1836. He
was reared upon the frontier in the usual manner of farm lads of the period
and locality and attended the local schools of Portland. He remained with
his father upon the home farm until twenty-five years of age, assisting him
largely in the work of the place. He early became Tamiliar with the arduous
task of developing new land and as the years passed by brought the farm
under a high state of cultivation. In 1862 he left home and rented a farm
east of Prophetstown and thus began general farming on his own account.
Continuing in the business, he became one of the successful agriculturists of
the community.
In 1863 Mr. Brewer was married to Miss Cordelia Frary, of this county.
They have two children, of whom Mason Porter Brewer, born February 7,
1866, is now conducting a hardware store in Prophetstown. Eva Emeline,
born July 6, 1872, is the wife of George P. Fisk, a resident of Prophetstown
township.
Since the organization of the party Mr. Brewer has given his allegiance
to the republican platform and has been called to fill several local offices,
serving as supervisor and assessor, while for nearly a quarter of a century he
has been scBbol director, the cause of education finding in him a warm and
stalwart friend. In 1895 he joined the Masonic fraternity and he is also con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious faith is indi-
cated by his membership in the Methodist church. He is greatly interested
in the Old Settlers' Society, has served on its committees for forty years and
has never missed one of its meetings. There are few men who have so inti-
mate and correct a knowledge of the early history of this county as has Mr.
Brewer, whose residence here now covers more than the Psalmist's allotted
span of three score years and ten.
LUMAN M. EAMSAY.
Luman M. Ramsay, a stockman and agriculturist, who also conducts
a meat market, resides at No. 704 East Second street in Rock Falls. He
was born in Como, Whiteside county, Illinois, July 11, 1858, a son of
William and Lucy Ann (Church) Ramsay, the former a native of Rome,
Oneida county, New York, and the latter of Oxford, Cheriango county, New
York. The paternal grandparents of our subject were David and Lydia
(Butler) Ramsay, the former a native of Vermont and a farmer and stock-
man by occupation. They both died when past middle life. In their
family were five children: William; Luther; Plannah, who died in early
life: Euphemia, who was the wife of William Pratt; and Lydia, the wife
of P. K. Marfleet, of Prophetstown.
The maternal grandparents were Bradford and Ann Whittlesey (Barnes)
Church, the former a native of Oxford, Chenango county, New York. He
was a farmer by occupation and an early settler of Lee Center, Lee county,
Illinois, where he took up his abode in 1840. In 1876 both he and his wife
came to Whiteside county, where they made their home with William
960 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Ramsay until the time of their demise. Bradford Church passed away
when eighty-nine years of age, while his wife died at the age of eighty-six.
Their family numbered five children, namely: Lucy Ann; Jane, who was
the wife of Henry Moore; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Rufus Moore;
Fitche, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Frederick Rollin, who
died at the age of thirty-five years, at Menominee. He was a very promising
young man and a member of the Wisconsin legislature.
William Ramsay was a farmer and stock-drover throughout his active
business life. In 1839 he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, locating at
what was then Rapids City, now Rock Falls, where he remained until the
spring of 1840. when he settled in Hume township, purchasing several
pieces of land, which he improved, having about three hundred acres at that
place. He removed to Como in 1852, continuing there until 1858, when
he returned to Plume township and developed a farm that is now known
as the Pond Lily Farm, making his home on that property until 1897. In
that year he came to Rock Falls and resided at Oak Lawn until the time of
his death, in 1900, when he was eighty-five years of age. He used to haul
grain and drive stock to Chicago and, on one occasion when he could not
sell his hogs, butchered them there and sold them on State street at a dollar
and a quarter per hundred.
Mrs". Ramsay survived her husband until October, 1907, when she, too,
was called to her final rest, having attained the age of eighty-seven years.
Both she and her husband were devoted members of the Congregational
church and when they departed this life the county mourned the loss of
two of its most honored and respected pioneers. Mrs. Ramsay was a graduate
of Oxfprd Female Seminary, studying languages and mathematics, was a
fine scholar and taught a select school in Dixon for some time. She was a
great reader and a woman of wide general information, so that her advice
was sought by the people of the neighborhood on all kinds of subjects, for
her excellent education made her opinions valuable. She possessed a re-
tentive memory and was, moreover, a. lady of refinement and great force of
character, which latter quality strongly manifested itself when she became
a pioneer of Whiteside county and established a home in the wilderness.
She proved an able helpmate and wise counselor to her husband, a good wife,
a loving mother, an exemplary Christian and was held in the highest esteem
by all with whom she came in contact. She was a great aid to her husband
in accumulating a competency for their declining years. The pioneer women,
as well as men, are entitled to great credit for the part they bore in building
up a new country and Mrs. Ramsay's far-reaching influence for good was
recognized by all who knew her. Both she and her husband deserve much
praise for their courage, patience and perseverance in accomplishing what
they started out in life to do, namely: to accumulate a competence for old
age, to rear their family to become useful and respected citizens and to
leave to posterity a noble example and an untarnished name. Their children,
to each of whom they gave a good start in life, were five in number : William
F., of Blue Hill, Mitchell county, Kansas; Kate and Elizabeth, of Rock
Falls; Luman M., of this review; and Luther, who died in infancy.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 961
Luman M. Ramsay was reared on his father's farm in Hume township,
and supplemented the education which he received in the district schools by
a course in the Sterling Business College. He carried on agricultural pur-
suits until 1897, when he came with his parents to Rock Falls, where he
has since made his home, his sisters, Kate and Elizabeth, residing with him
in the old home of their parents. In 1905 he purchased the meat market
of N. S. Beecher and has since conducted the same with good success. He
also buys and sells considerable stock and in his business interests has gained
a gratifying measure of prosperity because of his industry and excellent
management. In connection with his sisters he owns a farm of three hundred
and twenty acres which is situated partly in Whiteside county and partly
in Henry county and is known as the Cloverland farm. In addition to their
attractive home in Rock Falls they also have four acres of ground, and
the hospitality which they dispense so freely is just as cordially extended to
them by their many friends. For a half century, or throughout the entire
period of his life, Mr. Ramsay has been a resident of this county and is a
credit to the name which has been an honored one here for almost three
score years and ten.
JOHN G. WETZEL.
John G. Wetzel, secretary of the Whiteside Building & Loan Association
of Sterling and engaged also in the insurance, renting and loan business,
was born in Hopkins township, Whiteside county, Illinois, November 1,
1869, his parents being Lewis and Mary (Lawyer) Wetzel, who .were natives
of Ohio. The paternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, whence
he removed to Ohio, while at a later date he became a resident of Whiteside
county, Illinois, where he died at an advanced age, while his wife reached
the remarkable old age of ninety-two years.
Lewis Wetzel, the father of our subject, carried on farming in Tus-
carawas county, Ohio, and came to Whiteside county, Illinois, in the early
: 50s with his parents who settled first on a farm in Genesee township, near
Coleta. Later Lewis Wetzel removed to Hopkins township, where he pur-
chased two hundred acres of land, upon which he resided until the fall of
1888. About twenty years . ago he retired from the farm and removed to
Gait, Illinois, where he still resides, having spent the last two decades in
the enjovment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves'. He
has held various township offices and has been a man of considerable in-
fluence in his community. Unto him and his wife were born four children:
Rebecca, the deceased wife of W. A. Mensch, her death occurring July 12,
1893; Delilah, the wife of N. J. Reed, of Emerson, Illinois; John G., of
Sterling; and Rollin E., who resides in St. Paul, Minnesota.
John G. Wetzel spent his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of
farm lads, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to
the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the district schools and later
962 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
supplemented his early educational advantages by study in Dixon Business
College and in Sterling Business College, completing his course in each. He
then began keeping the books for the Eureka Company of Rock Falls,
with which he remained for two years, while subsequently he was book-
keeper in the Gait & Tracy Bank, there continuing until the firm became
Gait & Son. In the fall of 1896 he became secretary of the Whiteside
County Building & Loan Association and has since acted in that capacity.
In addition to this he conducts an independent loan and insurance business
and annually writes many fire policies and also has succeeded in placing
many loans.
On the 20th of June, 1895, Mr. Wetzel was united in marriage to Miss
Dora A. Whipple, daughter of Monroe and Annie (McKin) Whipple. There
were three children born of that union, Dorothy May, Harriet E. and John
Monroe Wetzel.
Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel are members of the Presbyterian church and are
people of genuine personal worth, for whom their fellow townsmen enter-
tain the warmest regard. Mr. Wetzel is also a director of the Young Men's
Christian Association and is identified with various fraternal organizations.
He belongs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. ; Sterling Chapter,
No. 57, R. A. M.; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T. ; and Medinah
Temple of the Mystic Shrine, in Chicago. He is likewise connected with
Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. 0. 0. F. His political allegiance is given to
the republican party and he is now serving as a member of the town central
committee. He is also assistant supervisor of Sterling township and is actively
and helpfully interested in many movements relating to the general welfare.
In fact he stands for progress and advancement in citizenship as well as
in business life and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those
who have known him from his youth to the present indicates that his has
been an honorable career.
DAVID MATHEW.
While David Mathew has put aside the more active work of the farm, he
is still the owner of a valuable property of three hundred and twenty acres
on sections 1 and 12, Mount Pleasant township. There for many years he
carried on general agricultural pursuits and the place is now operated by his
son George W. He also owns the W. C. Thomas farm of two hundred and
eighty acres on sections 8 and 9, Mount Pleasant township, which is being
cultivated by his son David W. Mr. Mathew makes his home upon a tract
of land of sixteen acres in the village of Round Grove and the fruits of his
former toil now supply him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries
of life.
A native of Scotland, he was born in Fifeshire, June 3, 1824, his parents
being William and Janet (Wylie) Mathew, who came to America some years
after the arrival of their son David. They took up their abode in Tucker
county, West Virginia, in 1851, and in 1857 came to Whiteside county, Illi-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 963
nois, settling in Hopkins township, where the mother died, while the father
passed away in Mount Pleasant township. Their children were Thomas, David,
William, Janet, Andrew, Margaret, Ann, Jane, Robert and Alexander.
David Mathew was reared and educated in Scotland, remaining upon the
home farm until sixteen years of age. He was a young man of twenty-four
years when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1848, arriving in New
York. Continuing his residence in the east for some time he taught school
for several terms in Maryland and afterward became connected with repair
work on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He followed that pursuit for several
years and finally invested his savings in two hundred acres of land in Tucker
county, West Virginia, where he carried on general farming for some time.
Thinking, however, to enjoy better opportunities in the middle west, he dis-
posed of his interests in Tucker county and in 1860 came to Whiteside coun-
ty, where for five years he engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm of
eighty acres. He then bought eighty acres on section 1, Mount Pleasant town-
ship, for which he paid sixteen dollars per acre. To this he has added, and,
becoming owner of various farms, his landed possessions now aggregate more
than thirteen hundred acres. In addition to a farm of three hundred and
twenty acres in Mount Pleasant, now operated by his son George, and a farm
of two hundred and eighty acres on sections 8 and 9, Mount Pleasant town-
ship, which he purchased in 1900 and which is now cultivated by his son
David W., he also has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Union Grove
township, which is operated by his son Samuel. He also owns several hundred
acres east of Round Grove in Hopkins and Mount Pleasant townships, that
in Hopkins being farmed by his son Robert while a farm in Mount Pleasant
is operated by his son Simon, and his farming interests return to him an excel-
lent income upon his investments. He has displayed keen discernment in the
purchase of his property, being seldom if ever at fault in matters of judg-
ment regarding land values. He was active in business for many years and
his energy, enterprise and keen discrimination are manifest in the splendid
success which has come to him.
Mr. Mathew was married in Virginia to Miss Anne Wolf, whose people
were from Holland. Mrs. Mathew was probably a descendant of General
Wolf, and was a daughter of George A. and Catherine (Barb) Wolf. She was
born in Tucker count}', West Virginia, and died in this county in 1901. Un-
to Mr. and Mrs. Mathew were born thirteen children : William B., who owns
a farm near Round Grove; Janet and George, twins, the latter now deceased,
while the former is residing with her father ; Catherine, deceased ; Robert,
a farmer near Round Grove; Mrs. Mary Sherman, who is living in Ames,
Iowa; Anna, who is engaged in dressmaking in Morrison; David W., who is
operating the Thomas farm owned by his father; George W., twin brother of
David and now successfully carrying on general farming on the home place
in Mount Pleasant township; James A., of Round Grove, who operates an ele-
vator and is meeting with prosperity as a grain buyer; Ezra, who is assistant
cashier of the Sterling Bank; Simon, who operates a farm belonging to his
father east of Round Grove; and Samuel, twin brother of Simon, and now
cultivating a part of his father's land in Union Grove township.
964 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Mr. Mathew gave his early political allegiance to the democracy and for
many years has been a stalwart republican. He voted for Buchanan in 1856
but since that time has given his allegiance to the men whose names have
headed the national republican ticket. He has served as school director for a
number of years and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart
friend. In early life he was connected with the Odd Fellows society but is
not active in his relations therewith at the present time. He has been a life-
long member of the Presbyterian church and his daily conduct has been in
strict conformity to its teachings. In his business he has been thoroughly
reliable and while he has met success it ha? come to him by reason of honor-
able methods that may well be followed by others. His prosperity has resulted
from judicious investment and from untiring energy and gradually he has
worked his way upward until he is now one of the most extensive landowners
of the county.
APPLETON RICH LEWIS.
Appleton Rich Lewis, engaged in the real-estate business and also man-
ager of the auditorium of Morrison, was born in Union Grove township in 1858.
His father, Mitchell Y. Lewis, was a native of Knox county, Ohio, born July
1, 1820, and was of Welsh ancestry. He became a carpenter and contractor
but in early life worked as a cabinet-maker and joiner. He made the trip from
Ohio to Illinois on horseback in 1854 to look over the country and, being
pleased with its prospects, the following year he brought his family to Morri-
son, where he remained for a short time. He then rented a farm in Union
Grove township, cultivating that land until 1865, when he resumed work at
his trade, which he followed for some time. In November, 1844, he wedded
Martha. J. Lane, a native of New Jersey and of Irish descent. In 1894 they
celebrated their golden wedding, at which were present their six children, the
minister who married them and also guests who witnessed the marriage cere-
mony. Up to that time there had not been a death in the family and Mr.
Lewis was the first one to depart this life, dying on the eightieth anniversary
of his birth. He and his wife had traveled life's journey together for about
fifty-six years. In his fraternal relations he was a Mason and on the seventy-
fifth anniversary of his birth, Dunlap Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Morrison,
set aside all rules and made him an honorary member of that organization.
His early political allegiance was given the democracy prior to 1856, when he
voted for John C. Fremont, the pathfinder, and ever afterward gave his politi-
cal allegiance to the republican party. He had no aspiration for office but was
always loyal and progressive in citizenship and was a man strictly honest in
his dealings, his upright life winning for him the esteem and confidence of
his neighbors and friends. His wife survived him until December, 1904, pass-
ing away in her seventy-ninth year. She was a. member of the Presbyterian
church and a most estimable lady. In their family were three sons and three
daughters: Mary, the wife of Theodore W. McDaniel, of Morrison; Elizabeth,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 965
the widow of Aaron H. Martin, who also makes her home in Morrison; John
W., a carpenter of Tulsa, Indian Territory; William H., who is a painter of
Morrison; Jennie M., who is the wife of Rev. Glenvoie McQueen, a minister
of the Presbyterian church at Versailles, Indiana ; and Appleton Rich, of this
review.
The last named lived upon a farm in this county for six years in his
early boyhood and afterward attended the common schools of Morrison.
At the age of sixteen he entered the office of the Morrison Sentinel, where
he remained for six years, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the art
preservative, gradually working his way upward until he was foreman of
the office. Entering the drug store of A. H. Martin, he then acquainted him-
self with that line of business and passed a state examination before the
state board of pharmacy in 1888. In the fall of the following year he
formed a partnership with J. H. Snyder and purchased the Martin store.
They conducted business together for more than eleven years under the firm
style of J. H. Snyder & Company, after which Mr. Lewis retired from the
firm on the 1st of January, 1900, and engaged in the cigar and tobacco
business. He also assumed the management of the Morrison auditorium.
He continued in the tobacco trade until 1904, after which he spent about
two years at Tulsa, Indian Territory, purchasing some property there. He
then returned to Morrison and since the early part of 1907 has been en-
gaged in the real-estate business, thoroughly acquainting himself with the
value of property and negotiating a number of realty transfers during the
past year. He is also manager of the auditorium and is well known in
the business circles of this city, while his strongly marked characteristics are
such as have gained for him personal popularity.
Mr. Lewis is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows Lodge,
the Dixon Lodge of Elks and Sterling commandery, K. T. His political
allegiance is given to the republican party and he has been somewhat promi-
nent in its local ranks. Three times he has been elected city treasurer
and proved himself a most faithful custodian of the public funds. He has
a wide acquaintance in this county and is recognized as one of its represent-
ative citizens.
ROBERT R. SP AFFORD.
Robert R. Spafford is one of Morrison's native sons, who throughout his
entire life, since completing his education, has been identified with its
business interests. Born in this city in 1874, his parents were D. S. and
Lydia Spafford, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. At
the usual age he became a pupil in the public schools and was graduated
from Oberlin (Ohio) Academy, while later he attended the Rose Polytechnic
School at Terre Haute, Indiana. Well equipped by liberal educational ad-
vantages for life's practibal and responsible duties, after completing his
education he engaged with a company in installing electric light plants for
966 HISTORY OF WHITES1DE COUNTY
two years. He afterward spent three years in his father's store as bookkeeper
and was with the firm of Potter & Johnson, lumber and grain dealers, as
bookkeeper for six years. In 1906 he entered into partnership with C. D.
Gallentine, becoming a member of the C. D. Gallentine Company, having a
hot house forcing plant, with a total of one hundred and twenty-five thousand
square feet of glass. The business has gradually developed under the care
and control of the enterprising men who constitute the partnership and is
proving a profitable investment. Thus gradually Mr. Spafford has worked
his way up'ward until he is now a recognized factor in the business life of
his native city.
In 1898 Mr. Spafford was married to Miss Lela M. Beuzeville, a daughter
of F. J. and Maria Beuzeville, and a native of Morrison, Illinois, born in
1877. Her father was a pioneer and one of the early and successful mer-
chants of Morrison. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spafford were born two children,
Eloise Lela and Frederick R., but the son is now deceased. Mr. Spafford
exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the
republican party. He has a wide acquaintance in this city and throughout
Whiteside county, where his entire life has been passed, and a genial, cordial
manner and genuine character worth are the sources of his popularity.
JOHN BUYERS.
*
John Buyers, deceased, who was a man of many friends, spent his last
years in honorable retirement in Sterling, having previously, however, been
closely associated with the business interests of the county as an agriculturist.
Mr. Buyers was born in Buyerstown, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March
2, 1834. His parents, James A. and Eliza J. (McJimsey) Buyers, were also
natives of the Keystone state, residing about fourteen miles from the city of
Lancaster on a farm, which was deeded to the Buyers family by the nephews
of William Penn, and which remained in possession of the descendants of
the original holders of the family until 1905. The first representatives of the
name in Pennsylvania came from north of Ireland to the new world. The
paternal grandfather, Captain Robert Buyers, won his title by service in the
Colonial army during the war of the Revolution, being commissioned in
April, 1776. He did valiant service in defense of the Colonial cause and
lived for many years to enjoy the fruits of liberty. His commission, which
was signed by John Morton, speaker of the house of Pennsylvania three
months before the Declaration of Independence was written, is now in posses-
sion of Mrs. Buyers and is a most cherished heirloom. She also possesses the
sword worn by Captain Buyers. He married Jean Armour and their family
included James A. Buyers who, as stated, followed farming on the old farm
homestead. He wedded Eliza J. McJimsey, a daughter of Joseph McJimsey,
who was a merchant of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and at one time
representative from his district to the state legislature. He married Eliza
Gait, and both died at a comparatively early age, leaving three little daugh-
JOHN BUYERS.
LIBRARY
OF TH
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 969
ters, Eliza J., Mary and Ann, all now deceased. Mary became the wife of
S. S. Patterson, who was well known in Sterling as a banker. Ann never
married and died in this city. The McJimseys are also of Scotch descent.
Eliza J. McJimsey gave her hand in marriage to James A. Buyers, and to
them were born three sons and three daughters, who reached adult age, while
two children died in infancy. The father passed away at the ancestral home
of the family in Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-two years, while the wife
died at the age of eighty-three. They lived to celebrate their golden wedding.
John Buyers, whose name introduces this record, was reared in Lan-
caster county, Pennsylvania, on a farm and acquired his education in the
east. The year 1859 witnessed his arrival in Sterling and soon afterward
he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Hopkins township,
upon which he lived for eleven years, but it was on that place that he and his
wife began their domestic life, while later they removed to what is known as
the Gait farm at the town of Gait, where they also remained for eleven years.
During this period of more than two decades Mr. Buyers was an enterprising,
energetic and representative agriculturist whose careful conduct of his busi-
ness brought him a gratifying measure of success. Failing health, however,
led him to abandon agricultural pursuits and in 1890 he took up' his abode
in Sterling, where he afterward lived retired until called to the home beyond.
On the llth of May, 1865, Mr. Buyers was married to Miss Frances
Anna Gait, a daughter of John and Sarah Maria (Buyers) Gait, who were
among the early settlers of Sterling, and of whom further mention is made
in connection with the history of John B. Gait on another page of this work.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Buyers were born ten children, six sons and four
daughters: Jessie M., who is a teacher in the Wallace school in Sterling;
James A., occupying a position in the office of the Sterling Manufacturing
Company; Eliza, who died in early womanhood; Charles A., who is manager
in the office of the International Harvester Company at Sterling and mar-
ried Alice Weaver; Bruce, who died in infancy; Thomas G., who died in
April, 1903, at the age of twenty-six years; Lizzie M., who died when nine
years of age; Mary, living at home; Donald E., a machinist who is now
studying mechanical engineering at the Illinois University, at Champaign;
and Archie, who is also attending the university.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Buyers were consistent, faithful and helpful members
and workers of the Presbyterian church, and for forty-five years Mr. Buyers
was honored as an elder of the First Presbyterian church of Sterling. In
politics he was a republican and was ever a loyal and patriotic citizen. In
May, 1881, he offered his services to the government and became a member
of Company B, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving first as cor-
poral and afterward as sergeant. He continued with the army as a faithful
soldier for eighteen months in Missouri and Arkansas and was then obliged
to return home on account of impaired health.
For seventeen years he was a resident of Sterling, living retired in the
enjoyment of well-earned rest up to the time of his death, which occurred
July 23, 1907, when he was seventy-three years of age. He was a man of
high purposes and honorable principles, who in all of his relations with his
970 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
fellowmen was actuated by a spirit of consideration, justice and right. His
death therefore was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends, while
his memory is yet cherished by those who knew him and may well serve as
a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. Mrs. Buyers still sur-
vives her husband and is most highly esteemed in Sterling, where she makes
her home.
CHRISTIAN HARTMAN.
Among the residents of Sterling who in former years were identified
with agricultural interests but are now living retired in the enjoyment of
well earned and well merited rest is Christian Hartman. A .native of Ger-
many, he was born in Wittenberg on the 9th of August, 1832, his parents
being Adam and Barbara Hartman, who were likewise natives of Germany.
The father was a cabinet-maker in the village of Galdorf and died there
when about sixty years of age. His wife survived him and afterward came
to America in 1855, settling in Trenton, New Jersey. At a later date she
came west to Sterling but remained for only a short time and then returned
to Trenton, where she passed away in 1885 at the very advanced age of
ninety-five years. She was a Lutheran in religious faith and Adam Hartman
was also identified with that church. Their family numbered twelve children,
but only two are now living, the elder being Barbara, a resident of Trenton,
New Jersey.
Christian Hartman was reared in the land of his birth, acquired his
education in the schools there and afterward worked at farm labor by the
month. In 1853 he came to America, living in Trenton, New Jersey, for
five years. In 1860 he arrived in Sterling, Illinois, and worked at farm
labor by the month. He afterward bought a farm of eighty acres in
Genesee township and made -his home there for a little more than twenty-one
years. He then removed to Sterling and rented his farm for several
years, after which he sold it and for the past twenty-three years he has
lived retired in Sterling. Here he built a good home, which he still owns
and occupies at No. 611 Fifth avenue, and he likewise has another dwelling
in the city, from which he obtains a good rental. In former years he was
most active and energetic in his farming operations and his labors were
carefully directed by sound judgment. In all of his farm work he met with
success and gained the desirable competence that now enables him to live,
retired.
On the llth of August, 1866, Mr. Hartman was married to Mrs. Fred-
ericka Kircher, the widow of Michael Kircher and a daughter of Frederick
and Rosina (Oltman) Smith. By her former marriage Mrs. Hartman had
one daughter, Louisa. Her first husband died in April, 1866. Her parents
departed this life in Germany, her father's death occurring in 1833 when
he was seventy-three years of age, while her mother died in 1861 at the age
of sixty-seven years. In their family were three children but Mrs. Hart-
man is the only one now living.
HISTOEY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 971
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hartman are members of the Evangelical Lutheran
church and in politics he is a stalwart republican, thoroughly in sympathy
with the principles of the party. While residing upon his farm he served
as road commissioner. He has been a resident of the county for forty-seven
years and his wife for forty-six years, and they are well known in the
community, being much esteemed by reason of their genuine worth.
DAVID H. L1NGEL.
David H. Lingel, whose activity and energies are concentrated upon the
conduct and development of a successful grocery business at the corner of
Thirteenth avenue and Fourth street in Sterling, is a native of Franklin coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, having been born near Chambersburg on the 14th of April,
1851, his parents being John and Frances (Finnefrock) Lingel, who were
likewise natives of the same county. The family was an old one of Pennsyl-
vania, for the paternal grandfather lived in Franklin county and died there
when a young man. His wife, Mrs. Barbara (Moffat) Lingel, long survived
him and passed away in Sterling at the ripe old age of eighty-three years. The
maternal grandfather, John Finnefrock, also died in the Keystone state when
a comparatively young man.
John Lingel, father of our subject, early learned and followed the shoe-
maker's trade, while later he became a farmer and subsequently engaged in
house painting and paper hanging. He came to Sterling in the fall of 1864
and there resided until 1905, when he went to Chicago, where he now makes
his home. His wife, however, died in 1866 in the faith of the Lutheran
church, of which she was a member, while Mr. Lingel belonged to the United
Brethren church in former years but is now a Methodist. For his second
wife he married Maria Kissell. Six children were born of the first marriage:
David H. ; Catharine, the wife of A. N. Mallory, of Chicago; Anna, the wife
of William Starr, of Lamoille, Illinois; Emma, living in Sterling; John F.,
of this city; and Sadie, the wife of E. H. Mariott, of Lamoille, Illinois. By
the second marriage the father had two children: Mabel, now the wife of
William Smart, of Sterling ; and Bert.
David H. Lingel was only thirteen years of age when he became a
resident of Sterling and his education, begun in the common schools of
Pennsylvania, was supplemented by the two years' study in the schools of
Sterling. He then began clerking in a grocery store and spent four years
in that way. He was afterward employed as a salesman in a clothing store
until April, 1907, with the exception of two years devoted to painting. For
fourteen years he was in the employ of Isaac Wolf, with whom he con-
tinued until the death of Mr. Wolf, when he embarked in business on his
own account in April, 1907. establishing a grocery store at the corner of
Thirteenth avenue and Fourth street. Already he has secured a liberal
patronage and he has a neat, attractive and well equipped store, in which
he is meeting with well merited success.
972 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
On the 15th of June, 1875, Mr. Lingel was married to Miss Jennie
E. Little, a daughter of William and Agnes (Porter) Little. They have
two children: William J., who is with his father in the store; and Agnes
Lillian, the wife of Martin M. Wasley, a resident of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Lingel are members of the First Methodist Episcopal
church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. The
only office that he has ever held was that of tax collector in 1884, hi? as-
pirations having been in other directions than in the line of officeholding.
For forty-three years, he has lived in Sterling and is well known in its
business circles as a man ever reliable in trade interests and at the same time
possessing a spirit of marked enterprise and diligence.
JOHN F. LeFEVRE.
John F. LeFevre has followed the plow over certain districts of Sterling
which constitute a beautiful residence portion of the city. He has made
his home in Whiteside county since 1847 or for a period of more than
sixty years and is therefore largely familiar with the events which have
shaped its history and molded its policy. He has passed the eightieth mile-
stone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, on the 1st of January, 1828. The family comes of French
ancestry. The grandfather, Peter LeFevre, was born in Pennsylvania and
was a physician and surgeon. He married Miss Mary LeFevre and they be-
came the parents of four children. After the death of the first wife Dr.
LeFevre married Elizabeth Abersticher but there were no children by that
marriage.
John W. LeFevre, one of the four children of Dr. Peter LeFevre, was
reared in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and began the study of medicine
but gave up the idea of becoming a representative of that profession and
turned his attention to farming. He married Mary Esbenshed, also a native
of Lancaster county and a daughter of Daniel Esbenshed, who was born in
Germany, whence he came to America, settling in Lancaster county, Penn-
sylvania. He was a tanner by trade and owned and conducted a large tannery.
He married Elizabeth LeFevre and lived to the advanced age of ninety-three
years, while his wife died at the age of eighty-eight years. They were
the parents of twelve children, including Mary Esbenshed. Following the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. John W. LeFevre they continued residents of
Pennsylvania until 1847, when they came westward to Illinois, settling in
Sterling, where the father lived retired. He died in 1872 when about
seventy-five years of age, being born in 1797, and his wife passed away in
1861 at the age of sixty-five years. They were consistent members of the
Methodist church and Mr. LeFevre served as a school director and was a
warm friend of the cause of education. Unto him and his wife were born
four sons and two daughters but only two are now living, the sister being
Mrs. Eliza M. Miller, the widow of Joseph Miller, of Sterling, and now eighty-
eight years of age.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 973
John F. LeFevre lived in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, upon the
home farm until nineteen years of age and attended the district schools.
He then accompanied his parents on their removal westward to Sterling,
where he has resided continuously since, his residence now standing in one
of the fine districts of the town. He formerly carried on the work of the
farm, for this district was a part of his father's farm, which extended a
half mile to the west. It is now covered with good dwellings, business houses,
schools and churches and is the home of an enlightened and cultured people.
Reared to the occupation of farming, Mr. LeFevre carried on that pursuit
for many years or until 1891, but is now retired, enjoying a well earned rest.
In 1855 was celebrated the marriage of John F. LeFevre and Miss
Annie Good, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Snyder) Good. They be-
came the parents of one daughter, Katie, now deceased, who was the first
wife of Frank Eisele and died leaving two children, of whom one, John
Eisele, is still living. For his second wife Frank Eisele chose Miss Marie
Franc Price. Mr. LeFevre now makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Eisele.
After losing his first wife in 1880, he married Miss Margaret Lytle, a daugh-
ter of Joseph and Lucy Lytle, of Philadelphia. His second wife died in
1893.
Mr. LeFevre is a Lutheran in religious faith and is well known in the
Odd Fellows society, belonging to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. 0. 0. F., also
to the Canton and the Rebekahs. His political allegiance has been given
to the republican party since its organization. He has lived in Sterling
for sixty years and has seen the city develop from a mere hamlet, while
the county has been converted from an almost unbroken wilderness into
one of the rich agricultural districts of the state. He has rejoiced in what
has been accomplished and in former years bore an active part in the work
of development. His memory goes back to the time when the countryside
was starred with millions of wild flowers in June and in December was
covered with one unbroken sheet of dazzling snow. Considerable wild game
was to be had and it was only here and there that a settlement had been
made showing that the seeds of civilization had been planted that have in
the course of years transformed this into a splendid district.
ARCHIBALD KNOX.
Archibald Knox was born at Aurora, Erie county, New York, September
11, 1827, and his life record covered the span of years to May 4, 1898, when he
passed away at his home in Mount Pleasant township. His parents were
James and Amy (Martin) Knox, who came to Whiteside county in the
fall of 1839, only three years after the Black Hawk war was fought, whereby
the domination of the Indian race here was forever ended. However, there
were still many evidences of Indian occupancy and this great state had but a
very small population compared with the number of its residents at the pres-
ent time. Large tracts of land were unclaimed and uncultivated and the
974 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
forests were uncut. The parents, journeying over land from New York, set-
tled at Prophetstown, and were residents of this county until called to their
final rest. They had a family of twelve children. James K, the father, born.
January 8, 1791, in Dover township, Dutchess county, New York, died in
Mount Pleasant township, this county, September 24, 1860, while his wife,,
born in Grand Isle, A r ermont, January 19, 1800, died February 9, 1866.
Their children were as follows: William, born in Buford township, Dutchess.
county, New York, June 2, 1817, died in Mount Pleasant township, White-
side county, Illinois, December 20. 1884.- Martin, born 'February 9, 1819, in
New York, died at Brownville, California, July 25, 1884. Allison, born in
Haldeman county, New York, March 3, 1821, died in Mount Pleasant town-
ship, this county, October 23, 1882. Peter, born in the district of Gore,
Canada, April 4, 1823, died May 2, 1875, in California, James, also a native
of Canada, born July 30, 1825, died in this county, September 11, 1873. Arch-
ibald, born in Aurora, New York, September 11, 1827, died in Mount Pleas-
ant township, this county. May 4, 1898. Henry L., born in Aurora, New York,
December 27, 1829, died in Mount Pleasant township, Whiteside county, Jan-
uary 5, 1886. Lydia, born in Erie county, New York, September 25, 1831,.
is the wife of Benjamin Lathe, a resident of Morrison. John J., born in Auro-
ra, New York, January 23, 1833, resides in Mount Pleasant township. . Mary,,
born March 16, 1837, at Morrison, Illinois, became the wife of Byron Mcln-
tyre and died at Yaukton, South Dakota, March 17, 1899. Allen, born in
Morrison, Illinois, May 3, 1840, was a soldier of the Thirty-fourth Illinois In-
fantry and lives at the Soldiers Home at Quincy, Illinois. Lewis, born No-
vember 8, 1842, at Morrison, was a member of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry
in the Civil war and died November 30, 1906.
Archibald Knox was but eight years of age when brought by his parents,
to Illinois and was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer
life. He resided here continuously until his death, with the exception of a
brief period of two years spent in California. He accompanied four of his
brothers as they journeyed over the plains and through the mountain passes-
to the gold fields and for two years remained on the Pacific coast, but not find-
ing the wealth that he anticipated he returned to Illinois to take from the
foil in another way the prosperity that ultimately crowned his efforts. As a.
claim from the government he took up the homestead on section 23, Mount
Pleasant township, that is still owned by his widow, filing his claim at the land
office in Dixon, whereby he secured one hundred and twenty acres at a dollar
and a quarter per acre. Today it is worth at least one hundred fold that
amount. Practically throughout his entire life Mr. Knox carried on general
farming, turning the first furrows upon his place and bringing the fields
into a high state of fertility, so that year after year he gathered good crops
and in due course of time accumulated a handsome competence.
At Prophetstown, on the 1st of September, 1856, Mr. Knox was' united
in marriage to Miss Minerva Garrison, a native of St. Lawrence county, New-
York, born June 16, 1837, a daughter of Philip and Phoebe (Eastman) Gar-
rison, both of whom were natives of New York, where they were reared. They
came to Whiteside county in 1854, settling at Prophetstown, where they be--
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY . 975
came identified with farming interests. The father purchased land there
and made the place his home until his demise in 1871, when he was sixty-
nine years of age. His wife survived him for two years and died in 1873, at
the age of seventy-four. They were the parents of seven children. Esther,
who was the wife of W. R. Stone, died in June, 1898. Emanuel, who was a
member of the Seventy-fifth Illinois Infantry in the Civil war, died at the
Soldiers Home in Quincy, Illinois, March 8, 1901. Mary A., who became
the wife of William Waite, of New York, and died in Erie, Illinois, January
25, 1902. Henry died in Mount Pleasant township, December 21, 1908.
Mrs. Lucinda Pratt is living in Lyndon, at the age of seventy-three years.
Mrs. Minerva Knox is the next of the family. William, who was a member of
the Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, died soon after the war.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Knox was blessed with four children.
Elizabeth, the eldest, is the wife of David Barnum, of Morrison, and has two
children by a former marriage, Carl and Albert Myers. Albert, who operates
the home farm for his mother, married Miss Lena Tjarks, a native of Round
Grove, this county, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. U. H. Tjarks. They have
one daughter, Mabel. Emeline Knox became the wife of R. A. Reynolds, of
Morrison, and has three children, Ray, Lola and Freda. Arthur married
Margaret Doyle and resides in Union Grove township. He has three children,
James, Mildred and Irene.
Archibald Knox stanchly upheld republican principles but was not a
politician. He belonged to the Methodist Protestant church and in all his
life upheld principles of truth, justice and honor. Coming to Illinois in early
pioneer times, he was for many years closely associated with the growth and
improvement of this part of the state and could relate many, interesting inci-
dents of the early days. He lived here at a time when the homes were largely
log cabins, when wild game was to be had in abundance and when Indians
were still sometimes seen, but the white race reclaimed the region for the uses
of civilization and Mr. Knox bore his full share in the work of general im-
provement. All who knew him esteemed him for his many stalwart charac-
teristics and his name i.s still honored among the many who were his friends.
CHRISTIAN NELSON.
Christian Nelson, who for a quarter of a century has been a prominent
representative of the industrial interests of Morrison, his business activity and
enterprise proving factors in the commercial development and consequent
prosperity of the city, is a native of Denmark, his birth having occurred in
Copenhagen in 1847. His parents were Peter and Anna Nelson, also natives
of that country, where the father followed the harnessmaking trade.
Christian Nelson pursued his education in the public schools of his
native country but his opportunities were somewhat limited and he is largely
<clf-educated, gaining knowledge through experience, observation and reading.
He early learned the trade of a carriage body maker in Denmark. The fav-
976 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
orable reports which reached him concerning America and its business ad-
vantages and opportunities led him to seek a home in the new world and,
bidding adieu to his native land in 1869, he crossed the Atlantic, locating after
a few months in Morrison, where he worked at his trade in the employ of Ely
& Whitcomb until 1882, when he opened a shop of his own for the manufac-
ture of buggies. For the past three years he has been making a specialty of
the Nelson breaking cart, which is now largely sold in every state in the Union,
while shipments have also been made to England. His business has gradually
developed into an important industrial concern, furnishing employment to a
large number of workmen and the enterprise is proving very profitable.
In 1875 Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Mary Ohlinger, who was born in
Pennsylvania in 1856, a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Wilt) Ohlinger.
Her father was a veteran of the Civil war and in .1867 came to Whiteside
county, settling in Newton township. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have become the
parents of five children : Lorena, the wife of Dr. Herbert Kennedy, a dentist
of Morrison; Malvern R., who follows the profession of dentistry in Chicago;
Nellie, who is employed as a stenographer in Chicago; and Edith and Ruth,
both at home.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Nelson is
connected fraternally with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. His
political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has no aspiration
for office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business
interests. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a
home in the new world, for in this land, where opportunity and ambition are
unhampered by caste or class, he has gradually worked his way upward, meet-
ing with the success which ever crowns indefatigable effort guided by sound
judgment.
EARL S. ELLITHORPE.
Earl S. Ellithorpe makes his home in Prophetstown, but within sight of
his farm, which is a valuable property near the village, indicating in its well-
kept appearance his careful supervision and practical methods. With the
exception of a year spent in Iowa, he has resided continuously in this county
since July, 1840, being at that time a young lad in his seventh year. He
was born November 21, 1833, in Edinburg, Saratoga county, New York, a
son of Sampson and Eliza (Wight) Ellithorpe. The father was also a native
of Saratoga county, New York, while the mother, who was born in Vermont,
went to the Empire state in her girlhood days. The paternal grandfather,
Wyley Ellithorpe, was likewise born in Saratoga county, where he spent his
entire life on a farm. His father, however, was a native of the Green Moun-
tain state, whence he removed to New York at an early period in the develop,
ment of Saratoga county. The first American ancestors of the family came
from England and were connected with the early development of the Green
Mountain state. In the fall of 1839 Sampson Ellithorpe and his uncle Solo-
tz!
G
CO
a
o
^d
T)
LIBHAHY
OF TH
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 979
mon came to the middle west, visited Whiteside county and secured a claim
of about one thousand acres upon which they each built a hewed log house
in Hume township, after which they returned to New York. Owing to the
early death of Sampson Ellithorpe, however, the claims reverted to the gov-
ernment and the family never occupied the house. Solomon Ellithorpe
became a prominent man in his native county in New York. As stated, it
was in 1840 when the parents of our subject left the east to establish a home
in Illinois. They traveled by canal boat to Buffalo, thence around the lakes
to Chicago and by team and wagon to Whiteside county, reaching their
destination in July. The father died, however, on the 5th of September and
a month later a sister of our subject passed away. All of the others of the
family were ill with fever and ague and Earl S. Ellithorpe and his aunt were
the only ones well enough to go to the father's grave, while Dr. Plympton,
the attending physician, preached the funeral sermon. With the Crocker
family Mrs. Ellithorpe resided in the home on Coon creek until the fall of
1841, when she removed to the neighborhood in which is found the farm
of Earl S. Ellithorpe. In the spring of 1842 she became the wife of Marvin
Frary and soon afterward they removed to the farm in Portland township,
where they resided until the spring of 1845, when they returned to Prophets-
town township. After residing upon a farm there for ten years they removed
to another farm in the same neighborhood and the death of Mrs. Frary
occurred in Lyndon township, August 4, 1866. By her first marriage she
had five children: Wyley, who died in infancy; Bethiah, who became the
wife of Dr. H. C. Donaldson and died in Denver, Colorado, while her hus-
band has also passed away; Earl S., of this review; Alpheus, who died July
11, 1854, when seventeen years of age; and Lucelia, who died in childhood.
By her second marriage Mrs. Frary had a daughter, Cordelia, the wife of
F. N. Brewer, at whose home in Lyndon township the mother died.
Arriving in Whiteside county in his seventh year, Earl S. Ellithorpe
was here reared amid the scenes and environments of pioneer life and shared
with the family in all the hardships and privations incident to the settle-
ment of the frontier. His educational privileges were rather limited owing
to the primitive condition of the schools at that day, but his training at farm
labor was not meager, as he began to assist in the work of the fields as soon
as old enough to handle the plow. He continued to reside in Prophetstown
township for eighteen years and in the meantime was married. On the 27th
of March, 1856, was celebrated the marriage of Earl S. Ellithorpe and Miss
Mary Jane Averill, who was born in Highgate, Vermont, February 1, 1835,
a daughter of Mark R. and Ada (Durin) Averill, who were also natives of
that state, whence they removed westward to Illinois in 1852, settling on a
farm in Prophetstown township in the spring of 1854. The farm upon
which Mr. Averill settled was purchased by Mr. Ellithorpe in the fall of
1887, but he previously cultivated and rented it for many years and in the
meantime had made substantial improvements thereon. Mr. Averill in his
business affairs met with a gratifying measure of prosperity and at his death
left an estate valued at about eighty thousand dollars. He was widely recog-
nized a? one of the prominent and influential men in the community, pos-
980 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
sessing marked business ability and executive force and displaying sound
judgment in placing his investments. His family numbered eight children:
Mrs. Ellithorpe; Wales, deceased; Anna, the wife of D. K. Smith, of
Prophetstown; Harriet A., the widow of C. A. Sanford and a resident of
Chicago: A. T., a banker, living at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Volney, a fruit
farmer of Wrights, California; Lewis, deceased; and Ella, who died at the age
of eight years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ellithorpe was born but one child, a
daughter, Luanna, who was born October 22, 1862, and died August i.0,
1895.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellithorpe began their domestic life upon a farm belong-
ing to her father and after renting that land for seven years they took up
their abode in Hume township in 1863. Mr. Ellithorpe there purchased
three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he cultivated for two years,
when, having opportunity to sell to good advantage, he sold it and returned
to the Averill homestead. In 1887 he removed to W T heatland, Iowa, where
he built an elevator and engaged in the grain and lumber business for about
a year in partnership with his brother-in-law, C. H. Sanford under the firm
style of Sanford & Ellithorpe. Returning to this county, he became owner
of his present farm, comprising four hundred and fifty acres of rich and
valuable land, constituting one of the best farms of the community. It is
lacking in no modern accessory or convenience found upon the model farm
of the twentieth century and from it he derives a gratifying annual income.
The land lies on sections 6, 31 and 32, Prophetstown township. He gave
personal supervision to the work of the fields until 1885, when he rented the
land, but continued to reside thereon until 1906, when he took up his abode
in the village. For many years he was successfully engaged in stock raising,
making a specialty of sheep, and was one of the most prominent sheep raisers
of this part of the state.
In his political views Mr. Ellithorpe has been a stalwart republican since
1856, when he proudly cast his first ballot for John C. Fremont, the first
standard-bearer of the party. He and his wife attend the Congregational
church, of which Mrs. Ellithorpe is a member. Since his retirement from
active business life they have traveled quite extensively, spending six months
on the Pacific coast in 1885, and again visiting the far west in 1897. He
has made altogether five trips to California. In 1903 they traveled abroad,,
visiting many points of modern, historic and scenic interest in the old world,
and spent one winter in Mexico. Mr. Ellithorpe has also made extensive
hunting trips in the northwest and travel and the chase have always been his
chief sources of pleasure and recreation. As the years passed Mr. Ellithorpe
prospered in his xmdertakings and the success he has achieved is well merited.
He placed his dependence upon safe, substantial qualities, realizing that
energy and determination are the basis of advancement. In business affairs
he has at all times been found reliable, nor has he ever been known to take
advantage of the necessities of another in trade transactions. Coming to this
county, in an early epoch in its history, he has watched its growth and
progress through two-thirds of a century and has been an element in its
development and substantial improvement. The qualities he has displayed..
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 981
whether in citizenship, in business or in private life, have been such as to
win for him the kindly esteem and respect of his fellowmen and his example
may well serve to inspire and encourage others, showing that persistency of
purpose can win success and that an honored name may be gained simultane-
ously therewith.
MICHAEL C. GROVE.
A life of activity and enterprise has gained for Mr. Grove the financial
independence that now enables him to live retired. He was born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1857, his parents being John and Margaret
(Leininger) Grove, natives of Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather,
George Grove, was also a native of that state and a farmer by occupation. He
died there when about eighty years of age and his wife also passed away at
about the same age. John Grove carried on farming throughout his entire
life and about 1893 came to Illinois, settling in Sterling, where he made his-
home until a recent date. He is now living at Rock Falls. He was drafted
for service in the Civil war but hired a substitute to go in his place. Both he
and his wife are Lutherans in religious faith and are widely and favorably,
known in this locality. Of their eleven children eight are yet living, namely :
George, .Louis, John, Michael C., Solomon, Charles, Murray and Wallace.
Michael C. Grove was reared upon the home farm in Franklin county,.
Pennsylvania, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that
fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the country schools and
when not busy with his text-books could often be seen following the plow.
He was a young man of about twenty-four years when in 1881 he came to
Illinois, settling in Sterling. Here he began work as a farm hand by the
month but thinking to find commercial pursuits more congenial and profitable,
after a short time he entered the employ of the Keystone Manufacturing Com-
pany. In the following year he began clerking in a grocery store, where he
was employed for two years, and later he secured a clerkship with J. R. Bell
<fc Son, dealers in shoes and clothing. He continued with them for four
years, after which he embarked in business on his own account in partner-
ship with H. J. Mueller, the firm name of Mueller & Grove being assumed.
This relation was maintained for nine years, after which Mr. Grove sold out
his interest and since that time he has bought and sold real estate. However,
he is practically living retired, although to some extent he yet deals in
property.
On the 14th of November, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Grove and
Miss Sadie Gingrich, a daughter of Cyrus and Emma (Eberley) Gingrich.
They have one child, Bessie May. Mrs. Grove's parents were natives of Penn-
sylvania and they had three children, J. Elmer, Cyrus and Sadie. The father
was a farmer of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and died there, while the
mother, who still survives, is living in Chambersburg. The paternal grand-
father of Mrs. Grove was Joseph Gingrich, a farmer and a native of Pennsyl-'
982 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
vania, who died at an advanced age. His wife, Mrs. Sarah (Gantz) Gingrich,
also lived to an old age and- they had two children. The maternal grandfather
of Mrs. Grove was Jacob Eberley, who was born in the Keystone state, followed
farming and afterward conducted a sawmill. His wife was Mrs. Hannah
(Heed) Eberley, who was about fifty years of age at the time of her death.
Mr. and Mrs. Grove are members of St. John's Lutheran church and he
is also identified with Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. 0. F., having become a
member of this order when twenty-one years of age. His political preference
is for the republican party. He resides at No. 701 Second avenue, which resi-
dence he erected in 1898 and he also owns several other residence properties
and business houses in Sterling, having built eighteen dwellings in this city.
He has thus contributed in substantial measure to its upbuilding and improve-
ment and may well be classed among its representative and worthy men. He
began work in- this city with only five dollars in his pocket and today he
owns a number of residences and good business property, which stands as the
visible evidence of his life of industry and careful management. He possesses
the strong determination which enables him to carry forward to successful
completion whatever he undertakes. His life has been one of continuous activ-
ity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is
numbered among the substantial citizens of his county.
W. W. BLEAN.
W. W. Blean, a retired farmer living in Albany township and now
filling the office of chairman of the county board of supervisors, was born
in Newton township, Whiteside county, February 5, 1856. His parents
were James and Hetty J. (Weakley) Blean, who were natives of Pennsylvania.
In the paternal line the family is of Scotch-Irish lineage, while the maternal
ancestry was German. The grandfather, John Blean, coming to Illinois in
1845, settled in Newton township. The members of his family were: Robert,
who settled in Garden Plain township; Jane M., who became the wife of
Robert Allen, of Ohio, and returned to that state, her home being now in
Wayne county, Ohio; Jesse K., who was a farmer of Newton township and
supervisor for many years but is now deceased; James A., the father of our
subject; and Elizabeth, the wife of William Mitchell, an old settler of New-
ton township. The father of this family, John Blean, was accidentally killed
in 1862 by falling from a hay mow. The maternal grandfather of W. W.
Blean was William Weakley. He never came to this county but his family
made their way here prior to the Civil war. His children were: Peter
Joseph; Hetty, who became Mrs. Blean; Mary, the wife of Robert W.
Sleighmaker, of Peabody, Kansas; and William, who enlisted as a member
of Company B, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served for four
years, or during the Civil war, participating in many hard fought battles.
He yet resides in this state. James Blean came to Whiteside county in 1845
with his father and together they purchased two hundred and fifteen acres
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 983
of unimproved land in Newton township, where he began the development
of a farm and made his home until 1861. In that year he assisted in raising
Company B, of the Seventy-fifth Illinois Regiment of Volunteers, and was
elected second lieutenant, under Captain Whalen. With courageous spirit
and undoubted loyalty he went to the front and laid down his life upon
the altar of his country, being killed at Perryville in his first engagement,
his company suffering heavy losses there. He left a widow and four chil-
dren, the eldest being W. W. Blean, of this review. The others are: Lizzie
K., the wife of John Hawk; John C., who is living in Newton township;
and James A., of Erie. Mrs. Blean still survives and now makes her home
with her daughter.
W. W. Blean was educated in the country schools of his native town-
ship and for a short time continued his studies in Sterling. He being the
eldest of the family, the burden of the family support largely fell upon
him and from an early age he assisted in providing for his mother, sister
and younger brothers. He was but seven years of age at the time of his
father's death. As his years and strength increased, he more and more largely
assumed the labors and responsibilities of the home farm, which he continued
to operate up to the time of his marriage. In 1882, at the age of twenty-
five years, he married and then purchased a farm adjoining the old home-
stead. As he did not have the ready money, he had to go in debt for this,
buying one hundred acres, for which the purchase price was forty dollars
per acre. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings, discharged
his financial obligations and has since added one hundred acres to the
original farm, having a place which is today worth one hundred dollars per
acre. He has improved this place with a house, barns and other modern equip-
ments and accessories until it is today one of the best improved farms of
Newton township. Mr. Blean also owns a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in Rock Island county and thus from his property he derives a good
income. While upon the farm he always engaged in buying and shipping
stock and this materially added to his financial resources.
About 1879 Mr. Blean was elected collector of Newton township, which
office he accepted and filled for six years. Some time afterward he was elected
assessor of the same township and served in this position for three years. In
1902 he removed to Albany and in the year 1905 was elected county super-
visor from Albany township, discharging his duties in that position so capably
that he was re-elected in 1907.
In April, 1882, Mr. Blean was married to Miss Mary E. Efner, the daugh-
ter of Edward and Amanda (Stagg) Efner. Her father was killed in the
tornado which swept over the town June 3, 1860. His house was taken from
the foundation and he was killed while looking for something that he
might put over his daughter, Mrs. Bleau, in order to protect her. The other
members of the family were left in the basement of the house unhurt. Mr.
Efner and his wife had but two children, the elder being Delia, the wife of
Wilson Brake, of Sioux City, Iowa.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Blean have been born seven children, of whom six
survive while Harold has passed away. Those yet living are: Hettie E., the
984 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
wife of Newell K. Senior, of Garden Plain; Mary E., who is a teacher; Leon-
ard, who is farming in Rock Island county, Illinois; Albert, Cora and Eva,
at home.
Mr. Blean is a member of the Woodmen Camp of Albany and also a
member of Keystone Lodge, No. 114, K. P. The family all belong to the
Presbyterian church and the members of the household are greatly esteemed.
Avhile to them is extended the hospitality of the best homes in this section of the
county. Mr. Blean is one of the progressive business men of his part of
Whiteside county. In addition to being a most successful and enterprising
farmer, he is interested in a number of other projects. Of the Albany State
Bank he is a director and in business circles his judgment is regarded as con-
servative and sound. He is a liberal man toward all public enterprises of
interest to the county and his labors in its behalf have been far-reaching and
beneficial.
JAMES B. MCDOWELL.
James B. McDowell, who is living retired in Sterling after many years'
connection with agricultural pursuits in Whitesi-de county, belongs to that
class of men who owe their advancement and success to their own efforts. He
has labored persistently for the achievement of prosperity and the years have
brought the merited reward of his diligence.
He was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1839, and was
of Scotch descent. His paternal grandfather, John McDowell, lived for a
time in England and thence crossed the Atlantic to Pennsylvania. His last
days were spent in Franklin county, that state, where he died in middle life,
while his wife was well advanced in years when called to her final rest. The'ir
family numbered five sons, including John McDowell, who was born in Penn-
sylvania and was a school teacher in early manhood, at one time being em-
ployed as teacher of the high school of Greencastle, Pennsylvania. Later he
became a farmer and always lived in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, his
death occurring in Antrim township in 1854, when he was in his fifty-sixth
year. He was always deeply interested in the cause of public education and
was a member of the examining board for teachers. He also took an active
part in politics and was a supporter of -the whig party. In early manhood he
Avedded Sarah Ann Mowen, also a native of the Keystone state. Her father
was likewise born in that state and was of high German descent. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. McDowell were born three sons and two daughters but only two are
now living, the younger being John W., who resides upon the old homestead
in Pennsylvania.
In taking up the personal history of James B. McDowell, we present to
our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this
locality. He was reared upon a farm in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and
acquired his education in the public schools there, after which he continued
to assist his father until John McDowell was called to the home beyond. Fol-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 985
lowing his mother's death he worked out by the month as a farm hand for
two years and subsequently learned and followed the wagonmaker's trade but
eventually abandoned that pursuit and resumed farming. In 1864 he came
1o Sterling and for one year worked at farm labor in the employ of the Keefer
brothers. He' next rented land and began farming on his own account, living
upon a farm in Hopkins township that belonged to his wife's parents. For
over forty years he continued in the tilling of the soil and the cultivation of
the crops best adapted to the climate. For the past three years he has lived
retired in Sterling, for his activity and enterprise in former years brought to
him a competence that supplies him with all of the comforts and some of
the luxuries of life.
On the 2d of February, 1870, Mr. McDowell was united in marriage to
Miss Eleanor Reed, daughter of Benjamin and Harriet (Clark) Reed, who
were natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and became early settlers of
Whiteside county, Illinois, Mr. Reed purchasing land in Hopkins township,
where he located in 1854. He was a son of Michael and Catharine (Kaiser)
Reed, natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. They lived to an old age and
reared a large family. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. McDowell were
Samuel and Margaret (Grubb) Clark, who were also well advanced in years
when called to the home beyond. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Reed were
born ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom eight are now living:
Eleanor, the wife of James B. McDowell; Emily, the wife of Joseph Bednar,
of Cedar Rapids, lowaj Kate, the wife of Joseph Lockhart, of Eskridge,
Kansas ; John, who is living in Jordan township, this county ; Clara, the wife
f Frank Taylor, of Sterling; Frank, a twin brother of Clara, now at home
with his father; Reuben, who is living in Las Vegas, New Mexico; and Edna,
at home.
Mr. and . Mrs. McDowell have become the parents of five daughters :
Mabel C., who is bookkeeper for the M. & K. Clothing Company and was
formerly a school teacher; Edna H., the wife of William J. Baird, a farmer
of Hopkins township, living near Gait, by whom she has two children, Ella
Mabel and Evelyn Ora; Nellie B., who is a stenographer for the Grand DeTour
Plow Company at Dixon, Illinois, and was formerly a school teacher for five
years ; Mary G., the wife of William H. Rees, by whom she has one son, Clark
McDowell Rees, and they make their home with her parents; Josephine B.,
the wife of Burton Harrison, by whom she has four children, Eleanor, Mil-
dred, Joseph and Nellie.
Mr. and Mrs. McDowell are earnest Christian people and devoted mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church. His political allegiance is given to the re-
publican party, and he is entitled to membership in the Grand Army of the
Republic, by reason of the fact that he served with the One Hundred and
Twenty-sixth regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He enlisted August 6,
1862, becoming a member of Company D, with which he served for one
vear. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancel-
lorsville, Shepardstown and various skirmishes and while at the front was a
faithful defender of the Union cause. He now owns a fine home in Sterling
at No. 311 Seventh avenue, where he is living in well earned ease. His life
986 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
record proves what may be accomplished by determination and persistent
effort when guided by sound judgment. His life history is another illustra-
tion of the fact that success is not the result of genius, as held by many, but is
the outcome of clear judgment, experience and determined purpose.
WILLIAM ANNAN.
There have been no startling or exciting chapters in the life history of
William Annan, but the thoughtful student will find therein lessons that
may be profitably followed. He is accounted an enterprising and reliable
business man and a worthy citizen and as such enjoys the esteem and con-
fidence of his fellow townsmen.
He was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1848, and was the second in
order of birth in the family of William and Elizabeth (Murray) Annan, who
were likewise natives of Scotland. The father, who was born in Aberdeen,
became a machinist and a successful man in the business world. On coming
to the United States on the 4th of July, 1849, he proceeded at once to White-
side - dounty, Illinois, but soon afterward located in Jacobstown, Illinois,
where he assisted in building a mill. He afterward took up his abode at
Unionville, where in connection with John A. Robertson he built a stone
mill, which is still standing and is operated by his son William. In 1868
he purchased Mr. Robertson's interest in the mill and employed a practical
miller to operate the plant, while he managed its business affairs. He died
in 1893 at the age of sixty-three years, while his wife, surviving until Feb-
ruary, 1903, passed away at the age of eighty-seven years. Both were con-
sistent members of the Presbyterian church and enjoyed in large measure
the friendship of those with whom they came in contact. Their family
numbered two sons and two daughters, namely: Barbara, who became the
wife of Edwin St. John, an agriculturist of Dakota, and died at the age of
sixty-one years; AVilliam, of this review; Catherine, who makes her home in
Unionville and has attained the age of fifty-five; and James, who departed
this life at Atlanta, Georgia, when he was twenty-one years of age.
William Annan was reared in Unionville and attended the village
schools, also pursuing his studies in the Davenport Commercial College. He
learned the trade of a machinist under the direction of his father and from
the age of twenty-one years has worked in the mill, becoming proprietor
upon the mother's death. In early life he thoroughly acquainted himself
with the business, and his enterprise and diligence constitute the basis of
the desirable success which he is now enjoying. He manufactures an excel-
lent quality of flour and finds a ready sale on the market for his product.
In 1876 Mr. Annan was united in marriage to Miss Marian Ely, who
was born in the state of New York in 1852. Her parents settled in De Kalb
county, Illinois, at an early day, taking up their abode upon a farm, which
remained their place of residence until they were called to their final home.
Mr. and Mrs. Annan have five children : Frank W., a railroad conductor,
ANNAN MILL, UNIONVILLE
WILLIAM ANNAN
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 991
who resides in Chicago and has one child; George, at home; Floyd J., who
resides in Morrison and also has one child; Le Roy M., who is employed by
the Santa Fe Railroad Company in Independence, Kansas; and Mary, at
home.
Mrs. Annan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr.
Annan belongs to the Fraternal Tribunes. He is quite well known as a local
leader in the ranks of the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recog-
nizing his Avorth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. He
is now township clerk of Union Grove township, having first been elected
to the office in 1885, since which time he has been the incumbent a service
of almost twenty-three years. His long connection with the office stands
in incontrovertible proof of his fidelity and his capability in the discharge of
his duties. He is also township treasurer and has filled this position since
1893. In everything pertaining to the welfare of the community he is
deeply interested and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further
any movement for the benefit of the public. In business affairs, too, he has
been thoroughly reliable and trustworthy and in Whiteside county his is an
honored name.
RIPLEY STAUFFER.
Ripley Stauffer, a resident farmer of Jordan township, living on sec-
tion 23, where he is carrying on the work of the fields in practical and
progressive manner, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 13,
1839, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Ripley) Stauffer, who were
also natives of Lancaster county and descendants of the pioneer Dutch
families that settled in the rich farming valleys of Lancaster county. The
father was married twice, and by his first wife had the following children:
Amos, Simon, Rudolph, John, Emanuel, Mrs. Becca Landis, Catherine,
Leah and Susan. The father died in 1852, when more than seventy years
of age. Mrs. Stauffer, the mother, was married twice, and by her first
husband, William Rummel, had three children: Christina; William, de-
ceased; and John.
Ripley Stauffer is the only child of the parents' second marriage. At
the age of ten years he commenced to battle with the world, working at dif-
ferent places until eighteen years of age, when he entered upon an appren-
ticeship to the carpenter's trade with his cousin, Zachariah Witmer, in his
native town. Three years later he was employed as a journeyman there.
He was married October 16, 1882, to Mary Ann Hess, daughter of Michael
and Mary M. (Eshleman) Hess, .natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
who in 1868 came to Whiteside county and settled in Jordan township,
where they spent their remaining days. Mrs. Stauffer was among the
eldest of twelve children: Benjamin, deceased; Zachariah and Jeremiah;
twins, living in Whiteside county; Jacob, residing in Kansas; Ely, of Ster-
ling; Emanuel, who lives in Jordan township; Emeline, the wife of II.
992 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Mellinger, who resides in this part of the county; Michael, a gold seeker,
who died in Alaska; Susan, the wife of Jacob Trouth, of Jordan township ;
Ephraim. who is extensively engaged in contracting in Dixon, Illinois; and
Theodore, who is in charge of the correspondence schools at Scranton, Penn-
sylvania, and lives at Elgin, Illinois. Mrs. Stauffer was born in Manor
township, Lancaster county, March 19, 1843, and was reared and educated
in Conestoga township of that county. By her marriage she has become
the mother of three children, but Lizzie, the eldest, died July 24, 1885, at
the age of twenty-two years. Susie is at home, and William is a resident
of Stewart, Lee county.
The family home is on section 23, Jordan township, and is a well im-
proved farm, indicating the careful supervision and practical methods of
the owner, who has lived a life of activity and enterprise and is today
numbered among the successful, leading farmers of the community.
It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the history
of Michael E. Hess, whose experiences in the northwest are proof of the
fact that "Truth is stranger than fiction." He was one of the pioneer gold
hunters of Alaska and had some- wonderful adventures. He left his home
in Sterling in 1876 and after a number of years spent in the western part
of the United States he went to Alaska, where he worked as a gold miner
for eight years. He was only a youth of eighteen when he left home. Hear-
ing flattering descriptions of the Yukon covmtry, he decided, after careful
deliberation, to go there, and in May, 1886, started in a canoe from Juneau.
Alaska, bound for the Yukon river. His course carried him through Lynn's
Channel to Chilkoot, which he reached in three days. There he met a Mr.
Everets, who had been sent by General Miles to make surveys of the White
and Copper river countries. Finding that their roads were the same, they
decided to travel together, starting from Chilkoot May 13. They stopped
over night at Haines Mission and the next night reached Chilkoot Pass,
camping at a point known as the head of canoe navigation. On the 15th
they reached "The Stone Houses" at the foot of the mountain, where they
were delayed for five days by storms and fogs. The fogs finally lifting, they
started at midnight with some Indians whom they had met at this place
and by four o'clock the following afternoon had reached Shallow lake, tired
and nearly worn out, the distance traveled being about twenty miles over
a very rough road. Mr. Hess rejoiced that he had reached the waters that
flow into the noble Yukon, a task which he had desired to accomplish for
several years. They camped at the head of the lake that night and the
next morning began building a raft. The following irighj; they crossed the
lake, a favorable wind making it easy sailing, and there they found good
boat timber. They waited to whipsaw lumber and the boat was finished
by June 30. Having launched the boat at the head of the second lake,
they started on the 1st of July with a fair wind and crossed in two days,
the distance being thirty-five miles. Passing through Moos Narrows, they
entered Tarkoo lake, which they crossed in two days, although it was not
more than twenty-nine miles long, but the head winds were against them.
Passing out of this lake down four miles of river, they entered Mud lake,
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 993
.and thence proceeded down Sixty-Mile river until coming to a canyon, around
which they had to pack the outfit for about a mile, while Mr. Hess took the
responsibility of running the boat through the canyon. Reloading at its foot,
they continued down some very rough water to the White Horse Rapids, and
after careful survey, to see if a boat passage was possible, Mr. Hess and Mr.
Everets finally ran the rapids in safety with the entire cargo. The canon
is three miles long and were it not for the rapids steamers could approach
within thirty-five miles of the coa-st waters at Chilkoot after entering the
Yukon river at Bering Sea, Proceeding on their way, they came to Lake
Labarge and entered Lewis river, floating down the stream for a number
of days, when one morning they were surprised to see three white men
standing on the bank. They proved to be Messrs. Boswell, Franklin and
Matson, who were waiting for the waters to lower so they could engage in
mining on a bar in the river. They had been making from nine to ten
dollars per day and Mr. Hess arranged to work with them, while Mr. Everets
continued on his journey. They worked out a bar in about twelve days,
realizing five hundred and eight dollars in gold, which was the first gold
taken from the Yukon river by mining. Leaving his three companions, Mr.
Hess started down the Lewis river and after a few days met some Indians,
who tried to explain that a steamer was coming up to trade with them, but
lie did not believe a steamer could run up that far and so continued alone
on his journey until he met the steamer three days later. He hailed the
boat and succeeded in getting on board and the steamer continued up the
river until reaching the Indian camp, where they traded with the Indians.
Mr. Hess next went down the river to Fort Reliance, where he remained
for the winter and met his former mining companions. Their supply of
food was limited and they could only get four hundred pounds of Indian
flour each, which had to last a year with what rabbits they could catch.
The winter passed tediously, broken only by an occasional moose hunt. In
the spring of 1885 Mr. Robinson of the party, having become disgusted,
started down the Yukon to leave Alaska. Mr. Hess and two companions
.started with hand sleds from Fort Reliance for the White river region, leav-
ing Boswell and Frazier to prospect Stewart river. The White river expe-
dition did not prove very successful and Mr. Hess and Mr. Matson then took
a trip across the country to Tanana river, one of the largest tributaries of
the Yukon. Their success was little better there and on the 9th of May,
1885, they started across the Cascade mountains, taking seventeen days for
the trip. Their supply of meat being exhausted, they had to recross, but
found a shorter road and made the return trip to the White river in seven
days. Floating down the river on a raft, they reached Fort Reliance after
an absence of two months with only twenty-five pounds of flour each. This
was the summer in which the Stewart river diggings were discovered by their
former associates, who at one time took out from one hundred to one hun-
dred and fifty dollars per day. Mr. Hess did not learn of their success,
however, until the spring of 1886. From Fort Robinson he and his com-
panions drifted down the river to Fort Grant, where they decided to await
the arrival of the yearly steamer, which reached that point August 14. They
994 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
then went up the Lewis river, where they could make five or six dollars per
day, but as provisions were so high this did not prove a living wage. The
next spring, hearing reports of the Stewart river discoveries, they started for
that district, but found that others had reached there before them and se-
cured the best diggings. Mr. Hess went to the head of the Stewart river
that season and found, like in all other sections of the country, that gold
was in every stream that he ever panned. He afterward floated down the
river to its mouth, spending the winter at Fort Nelson, a new trading post
built during the preceding summer. It was a hard winter and provisions
were limited, but as he could not be content indoors Mr. Hess took a hunting
trip and succeeded in killing three wolves and a lynx. With the arrival of
March, 1887, came a rumor of rich diggings that had been found the
previous fall on Forty-Mile creek, about one hundred and twenty miles down
the Yukon. Not having much confidence in the rumor, Mr. Hess concluded
to wait until the river opened and float down in a boat. Building a boat,
he followed his plan, and on arriving at Forty-Mile creek took a claim and
did about five hundred dollars' worth of work in trying to get some water
for sluicing purposes. The attempt ended in almost complete failure, but
he would not have given up had not the traders raised the price of provisions,
charging seventeen dollars and a half per hundred for flour. Leaving there,
Mr. Hess went to the Tanana country, where supplies were cheaper. On
the way down he stopped at Porcupine river and ascended that stream one
hundred and forty miles. There was some fine gold in its bed, but not
enough to induce a man to work it very long. Owing to the enormous price
of provisions and the shortness of the working season it was necessary to
make at least ten dollars per day. Proceeding down the Yukon, he pros-
pected on the way, finding a few bars paying from two to two and a half
cents to the pan, which was a good yield. Reaching New Cloyette, situated
on the Yukon eighteen miles below the mouth of the Tanana, it was now
the first of September and Mr. Hess concluded to put in the winter there,
having to build his own house. It was not considered a hard winter, the
thermometer registering only forty-seven degrees below zero. On the 1st
of April, 1888, he and a companion put their provisions on hand sleds and
started on a summer's prospecting. They followed up the Yukon for about
a hundred miles until they came to a good-sized stream, up which they pro-
ceeded on the ice. The ice finally broke through, however, and they were
compelled to build a boat. They immediately set to work whipsawing logs
and with their boat continued up the stream, prospecting as they went, but
not finding gold in sufficient quantities decided to turn back. They then
proceeded twenty-five miles further up the Yukon to another tributary, but
did not meet with better results there after exploring about seventy-five miles.
They found, however, a tusk which was nine feet long and proved to be ivory,
but was decomposed. They were now compelled to wait for a steamer to
come up the river, as they were out of provisions and did not care to risk
going through any more hardships than necessary. From the steamer they
secured a fresh supply of food. About this time news was received that a
white man had been killed by Indians, and they immediately formed a
HISTORY OF AVHITESIDE COUNTY 995
party and set out to avenge the crime, but lost a great deal of time in doing
it. The Indian was guilty of a cold-blooded murder, according to his own
confession, and had they neglected to punish the fellow their own lives
would have been in danger.
Returning to the point where they left their goods, Mr. Hess and his com-
panions loaded their provisions in the boat and drifted down the Yukon twen-
ty-five miles to prospect on another creek but failed to find paying bars. By
the 26th of September cold weather set in and they decided to hunt and
secure a winter's supply of meat. They succeeded in killing a huge grizzly,
the skin of which after being stretched and dried, measured nine feet. After
packing this meat out of the mountains about four miles to where they could
boat it down the river, they started for New Cloyette, which they reached on
October 1st. The river was frozen over by the 26th of October and thus ended
a hard summer's work without success, finding nothing to pay for it but hav-
ing much experience, which forms a large part of the prospector's life. In
March, 1888, they concluded to go up the Tanana river and loading their hand
sleds with six hundred pounds of provisions and luggage they started from
New Cloyette on the 4th of March, making their way up that stream as best
they could. In gulch digging it required a man just one season to prospect a
gulch thoroughly on account of the frozen ground, so they decided to look for
bar diggings. With many difficulties they traveled four hundred miles be-
fore the ice broke up, May 13. By the latter part of June they had built a
boat and proceeded one hundred and forty miles further up the river, where
they found bars that yielded three cents to the pan, but they were not exten-
sive enough to work. Becoming disgusted with the prospect they turned and
floated down the river, prospecting some of the tributaries with like results.
A little gold can be found in all parts of Alaska, but to find it in great quan-
tities it is necessary to dig down to bed rock. They finally reached New
Cloyette, after having been five hundred and forty miles up the Tanana.
There Mr. Hess and his companions worked for an English missionary until
the steamer arrived three weeks later and on the steamer they proceeded to
Forty-mile creek, landing there the 20th of August. At this time they were
much discouraged and intended leaving the interior and going to the coast,
where they could perhaps find work, but a missionary asked them to build
him a house and they remained and took the contract, receiving three dollars
per day. which afforded them a bare living and nothing else. Flour was fif-
teen dollars per hundred and there were few provisions in the locality. By the
1st of February, the house was finished and Mr. Hess with his sled went up
Forty Mile creek to Franklin Gulch to visit some of the boys who were winter-
ing there and returning to the post 011 the 27th of the same month. After
a few days rest he again went to Franklin Gulch and during the summer
engaged in gulch mining. Before leaving there in the fall of 1890, he took up
a claim, which is believed to contain rich deposits, his intention being to re-
turn and work it. He left there on the 1st of September, going up the river
in a small bateau. It was necessary to pole the craft, making in this way only
about twenty miles a. day. There were heavy snows on the cascades when Mr.
Hess and his companions crossed October 14. This, the Indians claimed.
996 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
had never occurred before so early in the year. The snow was two feet deep,,
making travel quite difficult, but Mr. Hess was able to pick up a pair of snow
shoes, which assisted him greatly. He felt great joy at being once more on
the soutli side of the mountains out of reach of the piratical methods of the
Alaska Commercial Company. In his travels over the country he had found
two minerals which, it has been claimed, were never found together in the
same district before coal and gold. He found coal in big chunks, weighing
from fifteen to twenty pounds, deposited on gravel bars from which he washed
one-half to three-fourths of a cent to the pan. There are no definite accounts
of Mr. Hess in his further wanderings and search for gold from the time he
arrived. on the coast, but it seems that he soon afterward returned into the
interior and that he was finally successful in finding rich diggings. He had
traveled thousands of miles up and down that wild and rugged country, had
endured exposure and privations which pen can never fully describe, had
suffered injustice, but with indomitable courage he toiled on toward the
prize which all men seek. In the strange irony of fate, when he was about to.
realize something for all these long and wearisome years of seeking he was
called from this life, his comrades finding him one morning in his cabin,,
cold and still. He had reached the end of the trail and had at last crossed
that great divide which separates man from immortality.
DAVID F. KAUFMAN.
David F. Kaufman, collector for the Singer Sewing Machine Company,,
was. born in Sterling, September 20, 1852, his parents being Rudolph and
Elizabeth (Stamn) Kaufman, both of whom were natives of Lancaster county,.
Pennsylvania. In tracing back the ancestry it is found that the .paternal
grandfather was also a native of the Keystone state but was of Swiss German
descent. He died in middle life and his wife, who in her maidenhood was
Miss Summey, afterward came to Sterling, where she passed away at an ad-
vanced age. They had six sons and one daughter, all of whom are how
deceased. This number included Rudolph Kaufman. The mother of our
subject was a daughter of Peter Stamn, also a native of Pennsylvania and of
Holland Dutch descent. She was one of a large family.
While living in his native state Rudolph Kaufman learned and followed
the wheelwright's trade. In 1849 he came to Illinois and settled in Sterling,
while he purchased farms in Montmorency and in Sterling townships, buying-
one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government. This was dur-
ing the pioneer epoch in the history of the county, when all the countryside
was largely wild and unimproved, giving little indication of the development
which was soon to transform it into one of the rich agricultural districts of
the state. The prairies were largely covered with the native grasses and con-
siderable wild game could be had. The homes of the settlers were widely
scattered and Mr. Kaufman would haul his grain to Chicago and bring back a
supply of groceries and other goods from the stores of that city. After he.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 997
retired from agricultural life he made his home with his son, David F., until
his death, which occurred in January, 1903, when he was in his eighty-ninth
year, his birth having occurred in 1813. His wife died in January, 1871. Both
were members of the Methodist church and were worthy, consistent Christian
people. Mr. Kaufman, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, enlisted at the
first call of Lincoln for seventy-five thousand men but was not accepted on
account of his age. At different times he served as town collector, assessor
and commissioner and in community affairs he was deeply and helpfully in-
terested, taking an active part in all that pertained to the public good. He
was found reliable and trustworthy in every relation of life and commanded
the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.
David F. Kaufman was one of a family of six children and is the sec-
ond of the three sons now living, his elder brother being Fred S. Kaufman,
of Los Angeles, California; and his younger brother, Horace Greeley Kauf-
man, also of Sterling. David F. Kaufman was reared under the parental
roof a.nd attended the district and public schools. He early became familiar
with farm labor but desiring to follow other pursuits, when a young man he
spent one year as a clerk in the hardw r are department of R. B. Whitmer's
store. He then turned his attention to the sewing machine business and was
in the employ of the Singer Company and the Wheeler & Wilson Company for
over thirty years, spending twelve years of that time in their Chicago offices.
He also spent two years in Galesburg, Illinois, and three years in Davenport,
Towa, but has always regarded Sterling as his home and has been closely asso-
ciated with its interests, its upbuilding and its substantial development.
On the 22d of December, 1875, Mr. Kaufman was married to Miss
Martha E. Fraser, a daughter of George S. and Lucy (Olmsted) Fraser.
Her parents were natives of the state of New York and resided in Wayne
county near Wolcott. Her father was a marble-cutter and followed that
business for a number of years, but became one of the pioneer settlers of
Whitcside county, where he took up his abode about 1849, locating on a
farm in Genesee township. Following the deth of his first wife he re-
moved to Canton. Illinois, where he married a second time, and there his
death occurred when he was more than eighty-two years of age. His first
wife passed away in February, 1898, at the age of sixty-seven years, and he
is still survived by his second wife, who was formerly Mrs. Lois Fair, and
who resides at Canton, Illinois. In the family of George and Lucy Fraser
there were seven children, of whom four are now living: Martha, now Mrs.
Kaufman; Nellie C., the wife of Alfred Thorpe, of Sterling; Gertrude, the
wife of John F. Buckley, of Beloit, Wisconsin ; and L. Verdell, the wife of
Charles B. Young, of Aurora, Illinois. It will be interesting in this con-
nection to note, something more of the history of Mrs. Kaufman's people.
Her paternal grandfather, Henry Fraser, was a native of the Empire state
and was of Scotch descent. A blacksmith by trade, he had a shop on his
farm in Genesee township following his removal to this county, and thus
continued blacksmithing until he took up his abode in Sterling, where he
died at the venerable age of eighty-three years. His wife, Mrs. Lucinda
(Stewart) Fraser, was more than seventy years of age at the time of her
998 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
death. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters. The ma-
ternal grandfather of Mrs. Kaufman was Elijah Olmsted, a native of New
York and a farmer by occupation. He married Jerusha Grover and died
in Wayne county, New York, after which his widow married again and
came to the west. Her second husband was a Mr. Stage and they made
their way to Whiteside county, where their children were living. Both died
here when well advanced in years.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman were three sons and four
daughters : Bessie, who died at the age of five years ; Harry, who is a con-
ductor on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad; Frank, who died at the
age of fifteen months; Nancy, twin sister of Frank, and the wife of Frank
S. Waters, of Aurora, Illinois; Jessie, who is a stenographer of Chicago and
also well known as an elocutionist; and Lawrence and Lucile, twins, who are
students in the high school of Sterling.
The parents are consistent members of the First Methodist Episcopal
church. For ten years they have occupied what is known as the old Worth-
ington property and their home is noted for its generous and warm-hearted
hospitality. Politically Mr. Kaufman is a prohibitionist, thus voicing his
opinion on the temperance question. He stands not only for temperance
but for morality in every form, and hLs influence is ever given on the side
of truth, justice and right. In his business life he has made a creditable
record, as is indicated by the fact that he has continued so long in the
employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. He is a. representative
of one of the oldest families of the county and for almost fifty-six years has
counted Whiteside county as his home, although his business interests have
called him at different times to other localities. He has been an interested
witness of. its growth and development and has seen the greater part of the
changes which have been wrought in transforming this into one of the
leading counties of this great commonwealth.
MICHAEL N. CROHAN.
Among the residents of the village of Fenton who have retired from
active business life, but were formerly enterprising factors in agricultural
circles in Whiteside county, Ls numbered Michael N. Crohan. His birth
occurred in County Roscommon, Ireland, October 10, 1837, his parents be-
ing John and Nora (Hanley) Crohan, who were also natives of County
Roscommon. The father died when his son Michael was but six years of
age and the latter came with his mother and two sisters, Ann and Mary, to
the United States, the family home being established in Freehold, Monmouth
county, New Jersey, in 1850. Michael Crohan was then a youth of about
thirteen years. He remained in New Jersey during the period of his minority
and, fond of reading, he closely followed the writings of Horace Greeley and
eventually heeded the advice of the great reformer in his injunction, "Go
west, young man, go west." Making his way to this section of the country,
MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL N. CROHAN
LIBRARV
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLIHOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1001
he first located at Connersville, Fayette county, Indiana, leaving his mother
and sisters in the east. This was in 1854, during the administration of
Franklin Pierce. As he had no capital and his financial condition rendered
immediate employment a necessity, he hired out to work as a farm hand
and when he had tested the opportunities of the west and believed that he
could make a good 'living in this section of the country he sent for his
mother, sister and other relatives to join him and all settled in Indiana.
In 1857 Mr. Crohan came to Whiteside county, Illinois, being induced
to take this step by the fact that he had acquaintances living in Sterling.
He remained for a short time in the city and then removed to Lyndon town-
ship, working as a farm hand for Draper Richmond until after the outbreak
of the Civil war. On the 2d of September, 1861, he donned the blue uniform,
enlisting at Morrison as a member of Company C, Eighth Illinois Cavalry,
under Colonel John A. Farnsworth. The regiment was located at Washing-
ton for three months, being encamped at Alexandria, the former home of
Robert E. Lee. The troops then proceeded to Maryland and Mr., Crohan
with others of his command was detailed to guard government trains on the
march to the Wilderness, being in the rear of McClellan's army. They
engaged the enemy at Culp's Farm and Mr. Crohan was also a participant
in the battle of South Mountain. Becoming ill, he was honorably discharged
and returned home in 1863. He was in poor health for a year, but as soon
as able became an active factor in business life and for one season worked
for others in Illinois.
In 1865 Mr. Crohan returned to Indiana, was married and then again
came to Whiteside county, settling in Fenton township, where he has since
made his home, covering a period of forty-three years. Here he purchased
eighty acres of land on sections 16 and 20 and later he bought more land,
having at one time one hundred and seventy-seven acres. He resided on his
farm on section 16, Fenton township, until he retired from active labor and
took up his abode in the village of Fenton. Here he has lived for the past
fourteen years and has gradually disposed of his property, so that he has few
business interests to care for and yet has a substantial bank account which
supplies him with all of the necessities and some of the comforts of life.
In 1865 Mr. Crohan was married to Miss Celia Coyne, who was born
in Balcarra, County Mayo, Ireland, January 15, 1840. They traveled life's
journey together for forty-three years and were then separated by the death
of the wife on the 20th of January, 1908. She came to America in 1860
and was a resident of Rushville, Indiana, up to the time of her marriage on
the 8th of February, 1865. She passed away at their home in Fenton and
her death was deeply regretted by many friends, who esteemed her highly
for her good qualities of heart and mind. They had no children of their
own, but adopted a son. William E. Crohan, now of Chicago. A sister,
Catherine Coyne, also made her home with them.
Mr. Crohan is a member of Captain Alpheus Clarke Post, No. 118, G. A.
R., of Morrison. His political allegiance has always been given the democ-
racy and he has served as road and drainage commissioner for six years. His
religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he is a communicant of the
1002 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
congregation at Morrison. A well-spent life has gained for him the lasting
friendship and warm regard of many with whom he has come in 'contact,
while his honorable business career has won for him a comfortable compe-
tence that now enables him to live retired.
JOSEPH BROWN.
Joseph Brown was one of the honored pioneer settlers of Whiteside coun-
ty and, moreover, deserves representation in this volume from the fact that
he gave his life as a sacrifice on the altar of his country during the period of
the Civil war. He was widely known and respected and he is yet represented
in this county by his two daughters. Jennie and Jessie Brown, who occupy
the old homestead farm. He was born in Manchester, England, in 1823 and
was the fifth child in a family of six children. The family history records
the marriages of Elizabeth Brown and Jane Brown to members of the Dick-
ens family, to which the famous attthor, Charles Dickens, belongs. William
Brown, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1752 and died in 1825. He
married Margaret Weir, of Warringstown, County Down, Ireland, whose peo-
ple removed to England prior to 1798. Unto them were born nine chil-
dren, including William Brown, who was the second in order of birth and
married Agnes Graham. They were the parents of Joseph Brown of this re-
view.
Joseph Brown spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of
his nativity, leaving England in the early } 40s and crossing the Atlantic to
Worcester, Massachusetts. He married Miss Eliza Corscaden, a daughter of
Richard and Jane (Crawford) Corscaden, on the 24th of October, 1847. In '
1850, before they left Massachusetts, Mr. Brown purchased a tract of land on
section 1, Sterling township, Whiteside county. Illinois, which he afterward
sold, and later purchased another tract in Jordan township. Again disposing-
of his property, he at length purchased a quarter section in Palmyra township,
Lee county, Avhich he retained for a place of residence.
It. was in the year 1851 that Mr. and Mrs. Brown settled in Whiteside
county, first making their home with Jacob Powell. With the other early
pioneers of the locality Mr. Brown assisted in the development of the new
country through the culivation of its soil, his carefully directed agricultural
interests proving an element in the general development of the community.
As the years passed he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and
gathered large crops each fall. His farming interests were carefully conducted
and his work brought to him a good financial return. Three children were
added to the family : Arthur, who died in infancy ; and Jennie and Jessie,
who now own and occupy the old homestead.
In religious faith Mr. Brown was an early day Unitarian, while Mrs.
Brown's parents were Episcopalians. They were ever interested in all that
pertained to progress and advancement and were in hearty sympathy with the-
anti-slavery movement, stanchly advocating the abolition cause. Mr. Brown
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1003
was among the first to take up arms to preserve the Union and suppress the
slave traflic in the south. He enlisted on the 7th of January, 1862, as a
member of Company F, First Regiment of Illinois Light Artillery, known as
Cheney's Battery. He joined this command in Dixon, Lee county, and was
appointed corporal on the field of Shiloh, April 21, 1862. While on duty at
Pittsburg Landing he contracted typhoid fever and was removed to the hospital
at Memphis. Tennessee. On the 7th of July he obtained sick leave, his fur-
lough extending until the 12th of the same month. Upon the expiration of
his leave of absence it was renewed, but he died before the expiration of the
second furlough on the 24th of July, 1862. He was a true patriot and a
brave soldier who gave his life as a sacrifice that liberty and freedom might
not perish from American soil.
Following the death of her first husband, Mrs. Brown became the wife
of Jacob Powell, one of the early settlers and honored pioneers of Whiteside
county. He was born January 19, 1814, in Dutchess county, New York, was-
of Quaker parentage and of Welsh descent. He was the oldest in a family of
eight children, his parents being Joseph and Hannah (Bowerman) PowelL
He was largely self-educated, his opportunities for attending school being
very meager, but by working at farm labor he earned a sum of money suffi-
cient to enable him to attend the Lima Seminary of New York. Later he
determined to become a member of the medical profession and provided for
the expense of a course in a medical college in Philadelphia. Upon removing
westward he took up his abode in the state of Michigan and in the fall of
1844 came to Whiteside county, Illinois. He spent the following winter in
New York but in the spring returned to this state and on the 1st of April,
1845, purchased the northeast quarter of section 13, Sterling township, it
being a part of what was known as the state script lands. Mr. Powell chose
this location because of the fine view here afforded of the surrounding coun-
try and the beautiful Rock river. On this beautiful site he built his home,
the material for construction being hauled with ox teams and horses from
Chicago, Albany and Fulton. In those early days Chicago and Peru were
the grain and stock markets and to those places the farmers took all that they
had for sale. Mr. Powell gave his attention to agricultural pursuits and stock-
raising, which he carried on extensively and profitably. In his business affairs
he displayed keen judgment and marked executive force and during the years
1868 and 1869 he built the beautiful residence now occupied by his daugh-
ters. Mr. Powell's sympathies were with the republican party and he believed
firmly in its principles but never sought nor desired office for himself. Dur-
ing the years preceding the Civil war he was connected with the anti-slavery
movement, his home being the headquarters for all anti-slavery lectures and
a station on the famous underground railroad, whereby he assisted many a
negro on his way from bondage in the south to freedom and liberty in
Canada.
It was on the loth of April, 1863, that Mr. Powell was married to Mrs.
Eliza Corscaden Brown, the widow of Joseph Brown and a daughter of Rich-
ard and Jane (Crawford) Corscaden. She was the third in a family of seven
children and was born in Kilmacrenan in the north of Ireland but comes of
1004 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Scotch ancestry. At a very early day, however, her ancestors made their way
to the north of Ireland to escape persecution in Scotland. Her father's uncles
were famous as manufacturers of the noted Paisley shawls at Paisley, Scotland.
In 1844 Mrs. Powell went to Canada with her parents and four years later
they became residents of Clinton county, New York. On the 8th of May,
1851, she came to Whiteside county, journeying by stage from Chicago.
She was a resident of Whiteside county for forty-seven years. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Powell there were born no children, yet they educated and reared five,
including Jennie and Jessie Brown, her daughters by the first marriage; two
sisters, Margaret and Anna Holland ; and Nelson Powell, a nephew of Mr.
Powell. Margaret Holland is now a successful physician of Houston, Texas,
where she has practiced since 1874. She is a graduate of the Woman's Hos-
pital Medical College, of Chicago. Anna Holland has successfully engaged in
teaching school for iif teen years in Whiteside county. Nelson Powell was mar-
ried January 25, 1872, to Celia Corscaden, a niece of Mrs. Powell, and to them
were born three children: LeRoy, Nellie Josephine and Clarence.
On the 20th of September, 1889, at the close of a long and useful career,
Mr. Powell died. He had lived for three-quarters of a century, during which
time he witnessed many of the wonderful changes and transformations in the
new west. His character was beyond reproach. Mrs. Powell survived her
husband nine years and died April 28, 1898. She is spoken of today as a
woman of sweet and loving disposition, possessing a tender sympathy and
charity for all, her willing hand being ever ready to assist the weak and unfor-
tunate. The county thus lost two of its representative pioneers but their
memory is still cherished by those who knew them. The family home and
farm is now owned by the daughters, Jennie and Jessie Brown, and under their
management has been successfully and profitably operated since the death of
their mother.
MARTIN J. RYERSON.
No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the
causation of success, upon careful analysis it will always be found that it is
based upon persistent, well directed effort a statement which finds verifi-
cation in the life record of Martin J. Ryerson, a well known merchant of
Emerson, who is conducting a general store as junior partner of the firm of
Reed & Ryerson. He was born in Hopkins township, Whiteside county,
Illinois, October 25, 1855, and is a son of Martin and Margaret (Johnson)
Ryerson. His paternal grandparents were David and Esther (Burr) Ryer-
son, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New York. They
were married and lived in New York, where the grandfather carried on
general farming until his life's labors were ended in death.
Martin Ryerson, the father, was born in New Jersey, September 28,
1824, and was* a farmer and carpenter. At an early age he was apprenticed
to learn the carpenter's trade, serving for four years, during which time he
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1005
wa paid the meager sum of ten cents per day. For many years he was
identified with carpentering, following that pursuit in the east until 1850.
when he removed westward to Whiteside county, where he again resumed
work at his trade. He afterward purchased eighty acres of land on section
14, Hopkins township, and upon the place made many fine improvements.
As the years passed he became owner of two hundred and forty-five acres of
rich and productive land, extending the boundaries of his original farm by
additional purchases and bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation,
while the many modern improvements added made his place one of the valu-
able farms of the county. He was married in Sterling to Miss Margaret John-
son, a daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Truax) Johnson, who were natives
of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ryerson
were born two daughters and two sons: Sarah, Esther, Martin J. and John,
but the last named is now deceased. The father served as overseer of high-
ways for many years and did much to improve the public roads. He was a
stalwart republican in politics and did all in his power to insure the success
of the party. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his
wife was also a member, and in the work of the church they were deeply and
helpfully interested.
Martin J. Ryerson, who was a representative of the family in the third
generation to bear this name, attended the common schools near the old home
farm. In October, 1903, he was married to Miss Anna Reed, a daughter of
Franklin and Elizabeth Reed. Mr. Ryerson followed farming until 1907,
when he entered into partnership with B. F. Reed in the mercantile business
in Emerson. They have one of the best country stores in the county, carry-
ing a large and well selected line of goods, the proprietors being wide-awake,
enterprising and energetic business men, courteous and obliging in their
treatment of their patrons and thus securing a large and growing trade. Their
business methods are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny,
for they have closely conformed to a high standard of commercial ethics.
Their store is favorably located and is convenient to a large area of farming
country from which they draw a good trade. Good qualities of heart and
mind have gained for Mr. Ryerson warm and lasting friendships and he has
a wide and favorable acquaintance in this part of the county.
BENJAMIN REED.
Sterling offers attractive residence to many who have retired from active
life to spend the evening of their days in the enjoyment of rest which they
have truly earned and richly deserve. To this class belongs Benjamin Reed,
who has now passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey, his birth hav-
ing occurred in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the llth of September,
1822. His parents were Michael and Catharine (Kaiser) Reed, natives of
Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer of Franklin county, that state, where
he died in 1852, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife passed away just
1006 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
a week before of cholera. They were both members of the Lutheran church.
Their family numbered seven sons and four daughters, of whom Benjamin
Heed is the only one now living.
Upon the old homestead farm in the county of his nativity Benjamin
Heed spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and the work of tilling the
soil and caring for the crops early became' familiar to him. While still
a young man he attended the subscription and district schools, and when
his education was completed tie learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which
he followed for a number of years. In 1854 he arrived in the middle
west, settling in Hopkins township, Whiteside county, where he purchased
land and improved a farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres. Upon that
place he reared his family and continued to reside for a long period, bring-
ing the fields under a high state of cultivation and converting the tract
into valuable and productive property. Upon leaving the farm he took
up his abode at Empire, where he remained for two and a half years, and
in 1884 became a resident of Sterling, where he has since resided.
On the 22d of February, 1844, when a young man of about twenty-
two years, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Harriet Clark, a daughter of
Samuel and Margaret (Grubb) Clark. She was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, and her parents were also natives of that state. The Clarks
were a prominent family there and her grandfather was the first judge of
Franklin county. Her maternal grandfather was Christian Grubb, who
was of Swiss descent, although the family was founded in America in colonial
days. Christian Grubb served as a soldier throughout the entire period of
the Revolutionary war and in days of peace followed the occupation of
farming. His wife was Margaret (Kramer) Grubb, and their family num-
bered seven daughters and one son.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reed were born ten children, five sons and five
daughters, of whom eight are yet living: Eleanor, the wife of J. B. Mc-
Dowell, of Sterling; Emily, the wife of J. F. Bednar, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
Kate, the wife of J. C. Lockhart. of Eskridge, Kansas ; John N.., a resident of
Jordan township; Reuben M., who is living in Las Vegas, New Mexico; Clara
I., the wife of F. R. Taylor, of Sterling; Frank A., also of this city, and
Edna G., who completes the famih r , and is living at home with her father.
Those deceased are Frank and George.
The wife and mother died July 11, 1907, at the age of eighty-three
years, seven months and five days. Her death was the occasion of deep
regret to many friends, as well as her immediate family. Mr. and Mrs.
Reed had lived together in happy married life for sixty-three years. They
became residents of Whiteside county in 1854 and passed through all the
hardships and privations that are endured by the pioneers in settling new
country and opening it up to the influences of civilization. They were both
charter members of St. John's Lutheran church of Sterling and enjoyed
in the highest degree the respect and good will of those with whom they
came in contact.
Mr. Reed sold his farm in 1904, and for a short time after coming tc.
Sterling conducted a feed store on Second avenue, but is now living retired.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1007
Ho served for some time as school director, and in politics has always been
n democrat. He is now more than eighty-five years of age, but still retains
dvid recollections of the early days when Whiteside county bore little re-
semblance to the improved district which is now included within its borders.
His life is one of activity and perseverance, crowned with a measure of suc-
cess that enables him to live retired. All who know him entertain for him
the highest respect because of his genuine worth and the honorable prin-
ciples which have governed his life.
GEORGE P. ROBERTSON.
The home of George P. Robertson occupies the very center of White-
side Bounty and stands in the midst of . a well improved farm of attractive
appearance on section 33, Mount Pleasant township. The place comprises
one hundred and eighty acres of land which, naturally rich and productive,
has been made to yield excellent crops year after year as a reward for the
care and labor of the owner, who for , eighteen years has lived upon this
place.
Mr. Robertson was born in Mount Pleasant township on the 6th of
October, 1865, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Robertson, who are mentioned
elsewhere in this volume. His boyhood was passed near Morrison and he
attended the common schools. When not occupied with his text-books his
time was largely devoted to the work of the farm and he remained at home
until twenty-one years of age. The occupation to which he was reared he
has made his life work and the success which he has achieved is attributable
entirely to his own labors. Year after year he worked persistently and
diligently and at length his labors brought to him the capital that enabled
him to make the purchase of his present property, which came into his
possession about 1890.
It was in February, 1890, that Mr. Robertson was united in marriage
to Miss Rachel Shear, who was born in Wisconsin but at six months of
age came with her parents to Morrison, where her mother had been reared.
She was a daughter of William H. and Jean (Murray) Shear, who were
early residents of Whiteside county. The mother was borii in Scotland
and when two years of age came with her parents to this county, arriving
here in 1842. The Shear family came from the state of New York prior to
the Civil war and William H. Shear enlisted from this county in Company
G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, being mustered into the United States serv-
ice. May 24, 1861, and mustered out June 16, 1864. On the 9th of March.
1865, he re-erilisted, becoming first lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred
and Fifty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was finally mustered out
August 28, .1865. He was afterward night marshal at Morrison
for twenty-seven years and previous to that time had served for two
years as night man at the depot. His public work brought him a wide
acquaintance and his sterling qualities gained him favorable regard. For
1008 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
the past four years he has been living at the Illinois Soldiers' Home in
Quincy and is now seventy years of age, his birth having occurred in
New York in 1838, his childhood days being passed in Cherry A^alley, that
state. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife,
Jean Murray, was born in Dairy, Ayrshire, Scotland, July 4, 1840, near the
town of Ayr, which was the birthplace of Robert Burns. In 1842 her
parents, Robert and Jean (Robertson) Murray, crossed the Atlantic with
their family and settled in Whiteside county. The father died at Clear
Lake, Wisconsin, but the mother passed away in this county. The daughter
gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Shear in DeWitt, Iowa, August 11, 1864,
and became the mother of twelve children. She died in Morrison May 18.
1900. Three children of the family died in infancy but nine are yet living,
namely: Mrs. H. A. Bradley, a resident of Morrison; Mrs. Robertson, of
this review ; John M., living in Fulton ; Mrs. T. J. Bailey, of Morrison ;
Mrs. Fred Hills, whose home is in Fulton, Illinois; Thomas, of Morrison;
Frank, who resides in Dixon ; Pansy, who is a professional nurse in Rock
Island, Illinois; and Robert, also of Morrison.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Robertson has been blessed with five chil-
dren, all of whom were born on the old home farm in the house which
was built in 1853 and which is still standing. The children are: Jessie
M., born in 1891; Fred M., born in April, 1892; Paul W., in 1898; and
Myrtle and Mabel, twins, born in 1898.
The present residence of the family was erected by Mr. Robertson in
1905 and is one of the beautiful farm homes of the county. His place is
neat and attractive in appearance throughout and the well kept farm in-
dicates the enterprise and diligence of the owner, who may well be termed a
self-made man. Politically he has always been a republican. He belongs
to the Modern Woodmen camp at Morrison and attends the Presbyterian
church. He has never desired to change his place of residence, for he
realizes that Whiteside county offers excellent opportunities and in the im-
provement of these he has won the success which places him with the sub-
stantial agriculturists of the community.
CHARLES A. GRISWOLD, A.M., M. D.
Dr. Charles A. Griswold is the oldest physician in years of continuous
practice in Whiteside county and his ability is widely recognized in Fulton
in a large and liberal patronage. Few men so long in practice keep so
closely in touch with the progress that is continually being made by the
profession, but Dr. Griswold has ever been a student of the science of medi-
cine and has been quick to adopt any new idea or method which he believed
would prove of real benefit in his ministrations to the sick. Connecticut
numbered him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Say-
brook, that state, on the 24th of November, 1830. His parents were Selah
and Rosanna (Bull) Griswold. His father was a descendant of the old
DR. C. A. GRISWOLD
LI8RAHY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WH1TESIDE COUNTY 1011
Griswold family, prominent in the early history of Connecticut, in whose
honor Fort Griswold was named. The family personnel included one gov-
ernor of the state and others prominent in public and business life. The
grandfather of Dr. Griswold was one of the heroes of the American army in
the Revolutionary war, while his father served in the war of 1812 and both
were granted pensions in recognition of the valiant aid which they had ren-
dered.
Dr. Griswold acquired his primary education in the schools of Cheshire,
Connecticut, while his university course was pursued at Yale, within the
classic walls of which institution he was graduated in 1852. He completed
the regular literary course and also attended two courses of medical lectures
at Yale. Subsequently he spent three years in study and practical experi-
ence in the State Lunatic Asylum at Utica, New York, thus having excellent
opportunity to acquaint himself with the manifestations of nervous disorders.
Completing a course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York
city, he was there graduated with the degree of M. D. in March, 1856.
Thinking that the west furnished better opportunity for the young physi-
cian, Dr. Griswold came to Fulton in September following his graduation
and, unlike the experience of most young physicians, no dreary novitiate
awaited him. Almost immediately he secured a good paying practice and
continued his professional labors at Fulton until October, 1862, when he
entered the service of the government in the Civil war as assistant surgeon
of the Ninety-third Regiment of Illinois Infantry. He was in the Yazoo
Pass expedition and in the siege of Vicksburg, entering the city soon after
its surrender. There he remained until the following September. He par-
ticipated in the battle of Missionary Ridge and followed Sherman on his
celebrated march to the sea. He was detailed for special duty on many
occasions and in December, 1864, was promoted to regimental surgeon of the
Ninety-third Illinois. He served with the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army
Corps until the 'close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and
mustered out June 23, 1865, having remained at the front for three years
without meeting a casualty or failing for a single day to be on hand for
active duty. While he endured many hardships incident to army life, his
experience gained in the field, especially in the line of surgery, has amply
repaid him. His experiences were those of most military surgeons, and there
remain upon his memory many vivid recollections of the scenes through
which he passed sometimes terrible, sometimes heart-rending and again
humorous. Never did he falter in the performance of any duty and many
of his comrades have reason to bless his memory for the timely professional
assistance which he rendered. His was indeed a creditable military record
and one of which he has every reason to be proud.
Following his return from the war Dr. Griswold resumed the practice
of his profession in Fulton and steadily advanced to a prominent and honor-
able position in his profession. He was a leading figure in the Union Medical
Society of Whiteside county, Illinois, and Clinton county. Iowa, and also
of the Whiteside County Medical Society. He was appointed a delegate to
the American Medical Association which convened at Minneapolis, Minne-
1012 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
sota, in June, 1882, and and he was connected with the Northern Illinois
College for three years, during which time he lectured on physiology, anat-
omy and hygiene. Following his return from the war he was appointed
examiner of pensions and held that position until May, 1901. He has also
filled various other local civic offices and in 1868 was elected to the mayoralty
of Fulton, while for two terms he served as supervisor of Fulton township
and for three terms as school director. Still higher honors awaited him,
however, for in 1889 he was chosen to represent his district in the state
senate. His public service has been characterized by the utmost fidelity to
duty, by a lofty patriotism and by high ideals of citizenship.
Dr. Griswold was married at Cleveland, Ohio, July 5, 1866, to Miss
Alice E. Smith and unto them were born four children: Marietta Alice, born
June 23, 1868, the wife of E. D. Redfield, a prominent business man of
Hartford, Connecticut; Joie Adelaide, who was born March 8, 1870, and
died on the 30th of September of the same year; Henrietta Beaumont, the
wife of Henry H. Morgan, of New London, Connecticut; and Charles Rich-
ard, who was born December 1, 1874, and died July 19, 1875. The wife and
mother passed away December 10, 1874.
Dr. Griswold is a man of marked literary taste and of considerable
talent in that direction. He has been a frequent contributor to the local
press and at different times has written upon varied subjects for other pub-
lications. At one time he was associate editor of the Fulton Advertiser,
which at that time was a republican paper, but has since become the Journal
and is democratic in its political complexion. His writings are characterized
by a terse and expressive style. His articles are always of interest on what-
ever subject he treats and show wide research and investigation along the
lines which he discusses. In politics he is a stalwart republican who has
ever been deeply interested in the dominant issues and questions of the day
and has done good service for his party. He has been a delegate to various
local conventions and his influence and labors have ever been given for its
support. Fraternally he is connected with Fulton Lodge. No. 189, A. F. &
A. M., of which he has served as master for a number of years. He is a
most worthy exemplar of the craft and in his practice has found ample oppor-
tunity to demonstrate its basic principles of mutual helpfulness and brotherly
kindness. There is one incident in his life which he will never forget the
fact that he was in the Ashtabula bridge horror on the 29th of December,
1876. He was returning from Connecticut, where he had been to attend the
funeral of his father, who died in his ninety-seventh year, and was a pas-
senger on the ill-fated train which made the fearful plunge through the
Ashtabula bridge to the river below, a distance of one hundred and forty
feet. He was taken from the wreck in an insensible condition, although he
had no bones broken. The horrors of the situation, however, made an indel-
ible impress upon his mind and constituted an experience such as he hopes
to never have again.
Such in brief is the life record of Dr. Charles A. Griswold, who for
many years has figured as one of the most honored and leading citizens of
Whiteside county, not only because of the success which he has attained in
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1013
his profession but also because of his devotion to the public welfare and the
effective service he has done in behalf of general progress and improvement.
He has exerted an immeasurable influence on the city of his residence; in
business life as a physician and surgeon; in social circles by reason of a
charming personality and unfeigned cordiality; in politics by reason of his
public spirit and devotion to the general good as well as his comprehensive
understanding of the questions affecting state and national welfare; and in
those departments of activity which ameliorate hard conditions of life for
the unfortunate by his benevolence and his liberality.
JOHN H. KREIDER.
John H. Kreider, whose name in Whiteside county has long stood as a
.-ynonym of progressive and successful agriculture, now resides at No. 501
Fourth avenue in Sterling and is enjoying a well earned rest. He was born
in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, December '20, 1850. his parents being John
H. and Sarah (Heidelbach) Kreider. The family is an old one of Lancaster
county, it having been the home of the great-grandparents of our subject, and
there the grandfather, John H. Kreider, was born, reared and spent his entire
life, following the occupation of farming. He married a Miss Hochstetter
and they became the parents of three sons arid three daughters. After the
death of his first wife he married a Miss Martin and survived her, reaching an
advanced age.
His son. John H. Kreider, the father of our subject, was also a native of
Lancaster county. He learned the carpenter's trade in early manhood, fol-
lowing that pursuit in the summer seasons, while in the winter months he
worked at the butcher's trade. Attracted by the broader opportunities of the
middle west, in the, spring of 1854 he arrived in Whiteside county and set-
tled on a farm two and a half miles east of Sterling, where he became the
owner of one hundred and fifty-one acres of land, upon which he resided until
his death. He was an industrious, energetic and successful agriculturist and
succeeded in bringing his farm under a high state of cultivation. His life was
one of signal usefulness and gained for him the warm regard of his fellow
townsmen. He died on the 8th of November, 1892, when more than seventy-
eight years of age. Mrs. Sarah Kreider still survives her husband and is a
remarkably well preserved woman of eighty-nine years. She, too, was born in
Pennsylvania, her parents being farming people of that state. Her father
died when comparatively young but the mother lived to be more than seventy
years of age and was twice married, her second husband being a Mr. Gall. Mrs.
Kreider holds membership with the Mennonite church, to which her husband
also belonged. Their family numbered four sons and two daughters, of whom
two are now living, Sarah, the widow of Christian Rutt, her home being on
Sixth avenue in Sterling; and John H., of this review.
The latter was in his fourth year when brought by his parents to White-
side county and upon his father's farm he was reared to manhood, aiding
1014 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
more and more largely in the work of the fields as his age and strength in-
creased. The district schools afforded him his educational privileges and after
he had attained his majority he took charge of the home farm, which he
operated for his father for some time and which he now owns. His property
interests also include a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Jordan town-
ship and he likewise has three hundred and twenty acres of land in Aurora
county, South Dakota, in addition to his beautiful home and other residence
property in Sterling. For the past nine years he has lived in the city and
from this point supervises his farming interests. His labors were always care-
fully executed and his close application and unfaltering industry were strong
elements in the success that now makes him one of the substantial residents
of the county.
On the 24th of December, 1872, Mr. Kreider was married to Miss Mag-
dalena Ebersole, a daughter of Abram and Anna (Rutt) Ebersole, who were
natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In the year 1866 the father
came west with hi? family, settling upon a farm in Sterling township, White-
side county, Illinois, where both he and his wife died. They were parents of
nine children, of whom eight are yet living : Elias ; Hettie, the wife of Abram
Burkhart ; Annie, the wife of John Resner ; Sabina, the wife of Amos Landis ;
Michael ; Abram ; Solomon ; and Amos. The other member of the family
was Magdalena, who became the first wife of John H. Kreider. They had six
children. Matilda, the eldest, is the wife of Abram Frye, living near Newkirk,
Oklahoma, and they have five children, Maggie, Grace, Ruth, Walter and
Florence. Harry, the second of the family, is at home. Abram is operating
the home farm in Sterling township. He married Cora Landis and they have
two children, Mabel and Margaret. Frank, who wedded Maude Fuller, is
living at Kildare, Oklahoma. John, who wedded Jennie Kaiser, resides upon
the farm in Jordan township, and they have one child, John Clayton. Amos
completes the family. Mrs. Magdalena Kreider died January 28, 1892, at
the age of forty years.
On the 7th of December, 1894, Mr. Kreider married Miss Anna Stauffer,
a daughter of Benjamin and Mn.ry (Smith) Stauffer. There is one child of
this marriage, Benjamin Franklin Kreider. Mrs. Kreider is a granddaughter
of Martin and Fannie (Whitmer) Stauffer, natives of Pennsylvania, who
lived to an advanced age and reared a family of two sons and two daughters.
The maternal grandfather was Nathaniel Smith, a native of Pennsylvania,
who married Margaret Hasselbach. She died in her fortieth year and Mr.
Smith when more than sixty years of age. They had eight children, of
whom two are now living : Anna, the widow of Henry Cramer and a resident
of Sterling; and Elizabeth, the wife of Abram Kauffman, of Millersville, Penn-
sylvania. The parents of Mrs. Anna Kreider were natives of Lancaster coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, and had a family of six children, of whom three, Hiram,
Mrs. Kreider and Harry Stauffer, are still living. The father died in 1882
at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother passed away February 16,
1890, at the age of seventy years.
Mr. and Mrs. Kreider are members of the Mennonite church in which
he is serving as a trustee. His political allegiance is given to the republican
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1015
party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him,
as he has always preferred to give his undivided attention to his business
affairs and as a farmer he made consecutive progress and won a goodly meas-
ure of success. Both he and his wife are well known in Sterling, where their
circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
'For more than a half century he has lived in this county and his memory
therefore forms a connecting link between the past with its hardships and pri-
vations and the present with its progress and prosperity. He has watched
pioneer conditions giving way before those of an advanced civilization and is
therefore largely familiar with the history of this part of the state. That his
life has been one of activity, energy and business honesty is indicated by the
fact that he is today the owner of valuable property and, moreover, has the
confidence and trust of his fellowmen.
DAVID D. EBERSOLE.
David D. Ebersole, who is now living retired in Sterling, was born in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1832, and has therefore passed
the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey. His parents were David and
Esther (Burkholder) Ebersole., natives of the Keystone state. The father
was a son of Jacob Ebersole, who was born in Lancaster county and followed
the occupation of farming. He married a Miss Mellinger and unto them
were born two sons and three daughters. The maternal grandfather was
a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and also devoted his life to
general agricultural pursuits. He married a Miss Lehmann and both reached
an advanced age. Their family numbered several sons but only one daughter.
The ancestry of the Ebersole family can be traced back to Jacob Ebersole,
who came from Switzerland to the new world, and David D. Ebersole of this
review is a representative of his descendants in the fifth generation.
David Ebersole, the father, made farming his life work and died in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1861, at the age of seventy-
four years, eleven months and seventeen days. He was twice married, his
first union being with Gertrude Nissley, by whom he had two sons and one
daughter. Following her death he married Miss Esther Burkholder, who
survived him and died July 17, 1879, at the age of eighty years, ten months
and twenty days. Both were consistent members of the Mennonite church.
Their family numbered seven children, but only two are now- living: David
D., of this review ; and Barbara, the wife of Jacob Witmer, of Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life
for David D. Ebersole in his boyhood days. He attended the district schools
and through the summer months worked in the fields. After he attained
his majority he started out in business on his own account and for two
years was in the employ of his oldest brother, Abraham. He then married
and began farming on his own account. The year 1869 witnessed his arrival
1016 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
in Illinois, at which time he took up his abode in Whiteside county, pur-
chasing one hundred and twenty acres of land in Sterling township, which
he afterward sold. He then bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-two
acres in the same township and there lived for a number of years. He
afterward disposed of that property and at a later day he rented eighty
acres of land, which he cultivated for several years when, in 1902. he re-
moved to Sterling, where he has since resided, owning here a good home.
On the 2d of November, 1854, Mr. Ebersole was married to Miss Anna
Martin, a daughter of David and Fanny (Rutt) Martin, who were natives
of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster county. They had five daughters and
four sons. The father died November 5, 1835, at the age of fifty-one years,
while the mother passed away March 15, 1834, at the age of forty-three years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ebersole have been born two sons and six daughters:
Adaline, who is now living in Sterling; Fanny, the wife of Aaron Book,
a resident of Prairieville, Illinois, by whom she has seven children. Mabel,
Elmer, Guy, Grace, Ruth, Lawrence and Clarence; Melinda, who is a worker
in the Mennonite Home Mission in Chicago; Ephriam, now deceased, who
married Hattie Mack and had two children Charles and Florence; Anna,
living with her sister, Mrs. Book ; David, a resident farmer of Newkirk,
Oklahoma, who married Hettie Frey and they have six children, Roy. Lloyd,
Bertha, Frank, Anna and Milton ; Martha, who became the wife of Amos
Wise and died leaving four children, Claude, Howard, Lelia and Lauren ;
and Amanda, who completes the family.
The parents are members of the Mennonite church and in politics Mr.
Ebersole is a republican. He has served as school director of Sterling town-
ship and also as highway commissioner. He has led an active life and now
well merits the rest which has come to him in the evening of his days. He
has been a resident of this county for thirty-nine years and has therefore
witnessed much of its development and progress.
CHARLES JOHN MELLBERG.
Charles John Mellberg. who, having passed the seventy-seventh mile-
stone on life's journey, is now living retired in Rock Falls, being pleas-
antly located at No. 311 Fourth avenue, was in his earlier years closely iden-
tified with agricultural pursuits, and lived a life of unremitting activity and
energy. He was born at Landskrona, Sweden, April 3, 1831, his parents
being Sven and Maria (Croke) Mellberg, who were likewise natives of Sweden,
where the father carried on farming and also conducted a hotel. He died in
that country in 1855 at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife survived
until 1872, passing away at the age of eighty-six years. They were the
parents of two sons and three daughters: Maria, who died in early woman-
hood; Olof. of Landsfcrona; Christina, who was the wife of Peter Larsen;
Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Tullberg; and Charles J., who is living at
Rock Falls.
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1017
The last named was reared in Sweden and acquired a common-school
education in hi.-< native town. Starting out in business life, he worked for
a gentleman farmer for two and a half years, and afterward served an ap-
prenticeship at the tanner's trade in Denmark, following that pursuit for
many years. In 1857 he came to America and worked for a time on a farm
in Champaign county. Illinois, in the employ of James Curtis. He next went
to Paducah, Kentucky, and later to Two Rivers, Wisconsin. On again com-
ing to Illinois he settled in Mendota. and in August, 1861, he offered his
services to his adopted country as a soldier of the Union army, enlisting in
Battery G of the Second Illinois Regiment. He was mustered out in August,
1865, at Montgomery. Alabama, after four years spent at the front in valor-
ous defense of the old flag and the cause it represented. He participated in
many important engagements, including the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi,
where the firing continued for three days and caused the loss of his hearing.
He was also in the battle of Vicksburg, and afterward went to Columbus,
Kentucky, to Trenton and on to St. Louis, after which the Union troops
drove General Price out of Missouri. Mr. Mellberg was also in the battle of
Nashville and of Mobile, and was in many skirmishes. He joined the army
as a private, and afterward became a corporal. No native born son of Amer-
ica was more loyal to the interests of the Union or more courageous in
defense of the cause which he espoused. He met unflinchingly all of the
hardships meted out to the soldier and became familiar with all the varied
experiences of military life.
When the war was over Mr. Mellberg began work at his trade in Men-
dota and was married there. Subsequently he was for a' time at Nashville,
Tennessee, and later located in Chicago in the spring of 1871, being there
at the time of the great fire, which broke out on the 9th of October of that
year. In 1875 he removed to Rock Falls, where he has since lived, working
at his trade most of the time. He also followed farming for ten years in
Genesee township, where he owns a farm of eighty acres of finely improved
land. During the past seven years, however, he has lived retired in Rock
Falls, his well directed labors in former years gaining for him the compe-
tence that now makes it possible for him to enjoy rest without further re-
course to labor.
On the 31st of August, 1866, Mr. Mellberg was married to Miss Maria
Price, who was born in Wales and is a daughter of James K. and Mary
(Ashton) Price, both of whom were natives of the little rock-ribbed country
where the birth of Mrs. Mellberg occurred. They lived, however, for many
years in England. In 1857 the father came to America and four years later
>vas joined by the mother. They settled in Mendota, Illinois, where Mr. Price
followed the shoemaker's trade. His death there occurred in 1892, when he
had reached the advanced age of eighty-three years and three months, and his
wife passed away in 1894 at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents
of ten children, five of whom are now living: James K. Price, Jr., of Chi-
cago; Annie, the widow of George Elkins, of Chicago; Mrs. Mellberg; Sophia,
the widow of William Merritt. of Mendota; and George T. Price, who also
resides in Chicago.
1018 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Meiiberg have become the parents of a daughter and son.
Anna Christina is now the wife of Robert Mcllmoyl, a resident of Rock
Falls, and they have two sons, Harry and Charley. Fred Meiiberg is operat-
ing the home farm in Genesee township. He wedded Emma Barnes and
they have two children, Fred and Ruth Emma.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Meiiberg are members of the Methodist church,
loyal to its teachings and generous in its support. Mr. Meiiberg also belongs
to Will Enderton Post, G. A. R., and gives his political allegiance to the
republican party, which was the defense of the Union in the dark days of
the Civil war and has always been the party of reform and progress. He
has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, but
on the contrary has always regarded it as a most fortunate step in his life
history. Here he found the opportunities he sought and by the improvement
of the chances which came to him he has gradually progressed in the busi-
ness world until he has gained a place with the men of affluence in the com-
munity where he now resides.
JOHN H. SHARER.
John H. Sharer, a retired farmer and stockman living in Garden Plain
township, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1854, a son
of Samuel and Magdalena (Hoy) Sharer. The former was a native of Lan-
caster county, Pennsylvania, born February 14, 1829, and came to White-
side county, Illinois, with his father, Jacob Sharer, in 1866, purchasing the
land upon which his son Albert now resides. Subsequently he rented the
farm to his son Samuel, but made his home thereon until the time of his
death, which occurred April 25, 1892, when he had reached the age of sixty-
three years, two months and eleven days.
John H. Sharer was about twelve years of age when he accompanied
his father's family on the removal to this county and supplemented the
education which he had received in the schools of his native county by
attending for a short time the country schools of this locality. As he was
the oldest son in a large family of children, it was necessary that he assist
in the work of the home farm when still very young, being able to do almost
a man's work when but fourteen years of age. He had handled teams since
his seventh year, and often, while working on the farm, when his harrow
struck a stump his father would have to come to his assistance, either remov-
ing the obstruction or lifting the harrow over the stump. Thus he early
became familiar with the various duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist, and was well qualified to carry on his farming interests suc-
cessfully when he started out in life on his own account.
On attaining his majority he worked by the month as a farm hand
until his twenty-fourth year and was then engaged in the cultivation of
rented land for fourteen years, on the expiration of which period, in the
year 1892, he purchased a tract of one hundred and fifty-three acres, the
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1021
greater part of which was improved. The buildings on the farm, however,
were rather old and somewhat dilapidated and in 1901 he erected one of the
handsomest residences in the county, subsequently also building some of the
finest barns to be found in this county. He has since erected another dwell-
ing on the farm, hi which he resides, for his sons, who now largely relieve
him of the active work of the fields, occupy the old homestead. The success
which has come to him is but the merited reward of his well-directed labor'
and unremitting industry, for he started out in life empty-handed and has
worked his way steadily upward to a place among the prosperous and repre-
sentative citizens of Whiteside county.
On the 18th of September, 1878, Mr. Sharer was united in marriage to
Miss Mary Starbuck, of West Virginia, a daughter of Benjamin and Anna
Starbuck, both of whom were twice married. The children of the father's
first marriage were: Amanda, who married a Mr. Anderson and lived in
Indiana; Oliver, deceased; and John, who has also passed away. Mrs. Star-
buck had one child by her first marriage, Martin H. Hubbard, who is now
deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Starbuck were born six children, who lived to
maturity: Martha, deceased; Adeline, the deceased wife of Addison Shaver,
of West Virginia; Benjamin B., who has also passed away; George, of West
Virginia; David, likewise of that state; and Mrs. Sharer. The last named
was but seven months old when her mother died and she was reared by Mr.
and Mrs. William Huffman, who settled in Newton township, Whiteside
county, in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Sharer are the parents of seven children,
namely: Edgar, who on the 8th of January, 1900, wedded Mary A. Curry;
Charles W., who married Lorena Hawk; Lester, who married Miss Ida S.
Blubaker; George H. ; Benjamin S. ; Ada May; and Willard L.
In his political views Mr. Sharer is a republican, while his religious faith
is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Albany,
with which his wife is also identified. His life has been one of continuous
activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he
is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. Having resided
within its borders for forty-two years, he is widely and favorably known, the
circle of his friends being almost co-extensive with the circle of his ac-
quaintances.
GEORGE W. THOME.
George W. Thome lives on section 12, Montmorency township, where
he took up his abode about three years ago. He purchased this property,
comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is pleasantly situated
near Rock Falls. Its excellent appearance, too, is the visible proof of his
life of industry and unwearied labor, for the place was largely undeveloped
when it came into his possession.
Mr. Thome is a native of Nelson, Illinois, born January 22, 1876. His
parents were Anthony and Marian (Van Buskirk) Thome, the former a
1022 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Oneida county, New York. They
came to Whiteside county about 1860, and the mother died in August, 1908,
when seventy years of age. The father, who during his active life was a
railroad man and farmer, is now residing in La Salle county. Their family
numbered five children: Kate, the wife of J. P. Johnson, of Nebraska; John,
who is living in Dixou; A. A., who makes his home in Rock Falls; Henry,
who is located at Harmon, Illinois; and George W., of this review.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm
life for George W. Thome in the period of his minority. He attended school,
mastering the branches of learning therein taught, enjoying the sports in
which most boys indulge and received his business training upon the home-
stead farm under the direction of his father. About 1905 he purchased his
present property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section
12, Montrnorency township. At the time the purchase was made the place
had a fence around it, but otherwise was entirely unimproved. Now in its
midst stands a fine commodious residence with large and substantial out-
buildings, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. All were erected by
Mr. Thome and therefore stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.
He has placed the fields under the plow and annually gathers good harvests
as the reward of his diligence and practical methods.
On the 1st of January, 1902, Mr. Thome was united in marriage to Miss
Harriet Hollenbeck, who was born in Nelson, Illinois, May 26, 1876, a
daughter of E. J. and Sarah C. (Dietrich) Hollenbeck, natives of Pennsyl-
vania. They now reside in Nelson arid came to Whiteside county in 1866.
The father is seventy-three years of age at this writing, in 1908, while the
mother has attained the age of sixty-eight years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thome
have been born twin daughters, Edna and Elsie, on the 8th of April, 1904.
Mr. Thome has lived a quiet, uneventful life, and yet his activity in business
and his loyalty to the ties of citizenship have made him a respected and
worthy resident of his community, well deserving of mention in this volume.
WILLIAM ELSWOKTH WEAVER.
William Elsworth Weaver, professor of sciences in the township high
school at Morrison, his native city, was born on the 5th of January, 1866.
His father, Henry Weaver, was a native of Pennsylvania, and is now living
in Morrison at the age of seventy-three years. He come,? of English ancestry,
the first representatives of the name in America arriving here with the colony
of William Penn. The grandfather was Jacob Weaver, a farmer by occupa-
tion, and the great-grandfather was Henry Weaver, who served as a soldier
in the Continental army in the Revolutionary Avar. Daniel Flenner, the
father of Mrs. Jacob Weaver, was a.lso a Revolutionary soldier and had his
great toe shot off in battle.
Henry Weaver, father of our subject, also followed agricultural pursuits,
and in 1855 came to Illinois, settling on a farm west of Morrison in Union
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1023
Grove township. There he spent his active life, carrying on general agricul-
tural pursuits until his retirement in 189(3, when he removed to Morrison,
where he has since made his home. In his farming operations he prospered
and now derives a good income from two hundred acres of improved farm
land in Union Grove township. While upon the farm he engaged quite ex-
tensively in raising hogs for the market, and found this a profitable source
of income. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. In
early manhood Henry Weaver was married to Mary .1. Nightser, a native of
Pennsylvania and of German lineage now living at the age of seventy-three
years. Her parents were Jeptha and Rebecca Nightser, who removed from
Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1836, and there remained until 1855, when they
came to Illinois, settling in Union Grove township, Whiteside county, where
they spent their remaining days. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Weaver was celebrated in 1864, and unto them were born three sons: Wil-
liam Elsworth; John C., who was born January 29, 1868, and is now living
on a farm in Union Grove township; and Clarence E., who was born May 1,
1870, and resides upon the old homestead.
At the usual age William E. Weaver began his education by attending
the district schools, and later he became a student in the high school of
Morrison, from which he "was graduated with the class of 1883. He after-
ward gave his assistance to his father in the further development of the home
farm for a year, when he entered the field of educational activity, and for
one year taught school in Ustick township. Not content with the educational
advantages he had himself received, in 1887 he entered Knox College at
Galesburg, and was graduated in 1891 on the completion of the classical
course with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. A year later he became a teacher
in the Como school, and afterward went to Columbus, Nebraska, as prin-
cipal of the Third ward school, continuing there for six years. He next be-
came teacher of science in the high school there, and so continued for three
years, also acting as high school principal during the last year. In 1902 he
returned to Morrison and accepted the su'perintendency of schools in his
native city, filling the position until 1906, when the township high school
was organized and he became professor of sciences, in which capacity he has
since served. He is an able educator, recognized as one of the leading mem-
bers of the profession in this part of the state, and his work has been emi-
nently satisfactory. He is constantly studying out new methods to increase
the efficiency of his department, and has the ability to inspire his pupils with
much of his own zeal and interest in the work.
On the 8th of July, 1903, Mr. Weaver was married to Miss Minnie
Fredericka Becker, who was born in Columbus, Nebraska, October 7, 1877,
a daughter of John Peter and Philipina Becker. The father was born in
Warsaw, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, May 29, 1833, and died January 14,
1892. The mother was bo-rn in Massillon, Ohio, March 12, 1851, and is
now living in Columbus. Mr. Becker was a contractor, grain buyer and
banker, and was quite successful in his business operations. In the family
of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are three children: Jane P., who was born in Co-
lumbus, Nebraska, July 15, 1904; John Peter and William Henry, born
1024 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
October 13, 1906. Mrs. Weaver is a member of the Presbyterian church.
They have a beautiful home in Morrison and its hospitality is greatly en-
joyed by their many friends. It constitutes the center of a cultured society
circle. In his political views Mr. Weaver is a republican, but has never
been active in the party ranks. He is well known in Morrison, his native
city, and his fellow townsmen feel a pride in what he has accomplished,
having gained a position of more than local distinction as an educator.
HARVEY FRENCH.
Harvey French is a self-made man whose unwearied industry and close
application has gained for him a measure of prosperity that now enables him
to live retired. He has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey
and is spending the evening of life in a pleasant home in Sterling. For
almost fifty-three years he has made his home upon the lot on which his
present residence now stands, and through a long period he was closely asso-
ciated with the building interests of this district, thus contributing in sub-
stantial measure to its improvement.
His life record began in Orange, New Hampshire, on the 6th of Octo-
ber, 1831. He is a representative of one of the old families of that state and
of English descent. His paternal grandfather, Oliver French, was there
born, as was the father, John French, whose birth occurred in Sutton, New
Hampshire. He became a farmer of Orange and there died when about
sixty-six years of age. In religious faith he was a Uuiversalist. In com-
munity affairs he took an active and helpful interest and left the impress
of his individuality upon the public life. He held all of the various town
offices and was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature of New
Hampshire. He was also called out for three months' service in the war of
1812, and thus had some military experience. His wife, who bore the maiden
name of Polly Brown, was born in Wilmott, New Hampshire, and died in
1841. She was a daughter of Joseph Brown, a farmer of that locality. By
her marriage she became the mother of six sons and a daughter, but only
two of the family are now living, the elder being John H. French, who
still resides at Orange, New Hampshire. After losing his first wife the father
married again, his second union being with Maria J. Flanders. They had
two daughters : Sarah M., the wife of Elisha Bullock, of Tilton, New Hamp-
shire; and Clara Adell, the wife of William Hughes, of Orange, New Hamp-
shire.
Harvey French was reared in the place of his nativity and mastered the
branches of learning taught in the public schools there. When starting out
upon an independent business career he went to Worcester, Massachusetts,
where he learned the carpenter's and builder's trade. In 1855 he came west
to Illinois, and for a brief period resided at Rockford. In the fall of 1856
he came to Sterling and purchased the lot upon which he yet resides, re-
placing his first dwelling by a new, modern residence in 1889. He was iden-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1025
tified with the huilding interests of Sterling many years, and a goodly pro-
portion of the .substantial residences and business houses of the city were
erected by him. The success which he achieved is undoubtedly attributable
in large degree to the fact that he continued in the line of business activity
in which he embarked as a young tradesman, and his experience constantly
promoted his efficiency and thus secured him a gratifying patronage.
On the 24th of March, 1858, occurred the marriage of Mr. French and
Miss Mary A. Kennedy, and together they are now enjoying the fruits of
their industry and their well spent lives, having put by a competency for old
age. In politics Mr. French has been a republican from the organization of
the party, and is loyal to its best interests. A number of years ago he served
on the board of health, has also been street commissioner and has filled the
office of alderman. As he has prospered in his undertakings he has made
judicious investment in property, and now owns a number of houses, from
which he obtains a good rental. His labors have been of a character that
have contributed to the improvement of Sterling as well as his individual
success, and many of the fine buildings of the city stand as monuments to
his memory, but none that equal the record of his sturdy character. He is
numbered among the substantial residents of the city, where for more than
a half century he has made his home, while his strongly marked traits of
character are such as place him in the ranks of the foremost residents of
Whiteside countv.
ELWIN B. FACEY.
Elwin B. Facey has for about fifteen years lived retired, previous to
which time his life was one of activity and industry, characterized by fidelity
to the duties that devolved upon him in the various business connections. He
is one of the native sons of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in
Utica, New York, December 10, 1849. He is of English descent, his paternal
grandfather, Richard Facey, being a native of Devonshire, England, and a
seafaring man, who died in his native country at an old age.
The father, Thomas K. Facey, was also born in Devonshire and became
an engineer and machinist. At the time of his death he was one of the
oldest engineers of the country, having served in that capacity on the Hud-
son & Berkshire Railroad and also on the New York Central and Hudson
River Railroad in the early days of railroad transportation. During his
residence in the east he belonged to the Utica Citizens Corps of the State
Militia. Removing to the middle west, he located at Marshall, Michigan,
and was an engineer on the Michigan Central Railroad for several years,
after which he made his way to Erie, Illinois, in 1853, driving across the
country from. Freeport. After a brief period there passed, however, he went
to Marshall, Michigan, and in 1855 arrived in Sterling, where he opened
a blacksmith and machinist shop. He was an engineer, boilermaker, ma-
chinist and blacksmith, and a skilled workman in all those branches, cus-
1026 HISTORY OF WHITES I !>K COUNTY
tomers coming to him for forty miles around. He carried on business here
for a number of years in the early days, having a shop at No. 22 West Third
street, which has since been torn down and replaced by a two-story brick
block. He was prominent in Masonry, having taken the chapter degrees,
and was one of the oldest representatives of the craft in the county, exem-
plifying in his life its beneficent spirit. He died in February, 1897, when
nearly seventy-five of age, and his wife, surviving him for more than a
decade, passed away November 9, 1907, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Both were consistent members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Facey bore
the maiden name of Asenath Van Buskirk, and was born in the state of
New York. Her parents resided in Oneida county and both died in middle
life. Mrs. Facey became the mother of three children : Elwin B., of this
review; Josephine E., the deceased wife of Morgan Evans; and Walter A.,
who has also passed away.
ThLs leaves Elwin B. Facey as the only surviving member of the family.
The first six years of his life were spent in the state of his nativity, after
which his parents removed to Sterling, where he has since made his home.
His education was acquired in the public schools here and when sixteen
years of age he began learning the machinist's trade, which he followed
for several years in Clinton, Iowa, in the shops of the Chicago & North-
western Railroad Company. Later he engaged in railroading fpr ten years
as a brakesman, fireman and engineer. He afterward conducted a. plumbing
business in Sterling for a number of years and followed various other pur-
suits. In his different undertakings he met with success and thereby accumu-
lated a comfortable competence that has enabled him during the past fifteen
years to live retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He has in his
possession an old time table of the Michigan Central Railroad, dated 1854,
given him by his father.
On the 29th of July, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Elwin B.
Facey and Miss Kate Miller, a daughter of John and Susan (Pierce) Miller,
who were natives of Germany, and on coming to America settled in Chicago
about 1855. Ten years afterward they came to Sterling, where the father
worked at the cooper's trade and spent his remaining days, departing this
life in 1902, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He had for some
time survived his wife, who passed away when twenty-six years of age. Mrs.
Facey was the eldest of their four children, the others being : Joseph Miller,
of Wichita, Kansas; Margaret, the wife of Nicholas Gaulrapp, of Sterling;
and Anna, the wife of Jacob Gaulrapp.
Mr. and Mrs. Facey have four children: Fred, who married Edith
Brayton and is a machinist of Madison, Wisconsin ; Mabel, a trained nurse
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Frankie, cashier in Heckman's dry -goods store
in Sterling; and Clara, the wife of Forest Ramsdell of Sterling. The family
home is at No. 424 avenue D, Mr. Facey owning this property.
He is a member of the Methodist church and in politics was formerly
a democrat but now gives his political allegiance to the republican party.
During a long residence in this city he has become widely known and is a
man of many friends. His life history- proves what may be accomplished
HISTORY OP WHITESIDE COUNTY 1027
by determined and honorable purpose. He has based his business prin-
ciples and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integ-
rity and industry and thus he has gained his present creditable position in
the ranks of the leading citizens of Whiteside county.
WILLIAM FLETCHER.
William Fletcher, who is now living retired although still residing upon
a farm in Union Grove township, having made his home in this township
for fifty-five years, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, November 10,
1835, a son of William and Sarah (Wells) Fletcher. The mother died in
England in 1841 and eleven years later, in 1852, the father made the trip
across the Atlantic to the new world and was identified with farming inter-
ests in this county for a long period. He continued to reside upon the old
home farm until his death, which occurred in 1893, when he was more than
ninety-two years of age. He was one of the most venerable citizens of the
county and had long enjoyed the full respect and good will of all with whom
he was associated. His remains were interred in Morrison cemetery. A son
of the family, Fred Fletcher, died in early childhood and there were seven
daughters, namely: Susan, who became the wife of John Norman and
both died in England; Mary, who died in infancy; Mary (2d), who came
to America and died in Whiteside county in 1885, at the age of fifty-seven
years; Ann, the widow of John Frost, who died February 21, 1900, at the
age of seventy-two years; Esther, who became the wife of Elijah Stinton,
now a resident of Morrison, while her death occurred three years ago ; Sarah,
the deceased wife of Benjamin Wythers, now living in England ; Rebecca,
the widow of Human Wythers, who died December 2, 1907, in Geneva,
Nebraska, where she still resides; William, of this review; and Sophia, the
wife of Andrew Seaman, who resides in Union Grove township.
William Fletcher was reared in England to the age of sixteen years
and since coming to America ha? twice returned upon a visit to his native
country. He crossed the Atlantic first with his father and assisted in the
early development and improvement of the home farm and in its later culti-
vation ns well, continuing with his father until the letter's death. He
began farming on his own account, however, when twenty-one or twenty-
two years of age, securing a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres
on section 17. Union Grove township. A part of this he purchased more than
forty years ago for two dollars and a half per acre and with characteristic
energy he began to plow and plant the fields, for hitherto the land was wild
and unimproved. For many years he continued to operate that farm with
good success, but about six years ago sold the pi'operty to Elisha Hartman,
of Morrison.
Since age conferred upon William Fletcher the right of franchise he
has given unfaltering allegiance to the republican party but has constantly
refused to become a candidate for office, although his fellow townsmen have
1028 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
solicited him to do so. Socially he is connected with Globe Lodge. No. 57,
I. 0. 0. F., of Morrison, and he was baptized in the Episcopal church. He
is one of the oldest subscribers of the Sentinel in Whiteside county and has
always kept in touch through his paper and" other reading with the trend
of modern thought and events. As he looks back over the past he notes
many changes which have occurred, bringing about a different method of
life in the home, in the fields and in commercial sections as well. He has
seen the building of railroads through this county, the extension of tele-
graph lines, the introduction of the telephone and many other modern
business improvements, all of which indicate the onward march of progress.
JESSE MISHLER.
There are many interesting chapters in the life record of Jesse Mishler,
who, dependant upon his own resources from an early age, has attained a
position among the men of affluence in Whiteside county. He traveled across
the plains to California before the era of railroad transportation and had
military exerience as a soldier of the Civil war. His birth occurred in Somer-
set county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1838, and in both the paternal and
maternal lines he comes of Swiss ancestry. His father, Jacob Mishler, also
a native of the Keystone state, was a laborer in the east and in 1840 removed
westward to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he cleared a tract of land and
engaged in farming. While in Pennsylvania he 'married Miss Martha
Blough, also a native of that state, and their last days were spent in Indiana,
the mother dying at the age of fifty-two years, while the father passed away
in St. Joseph county at the age of seventy-five years. Their family numbered
five sons and five daughters.
Jesse Mishler, who is the only survivor, was in his second year at the
time of his parents' removal to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he was
reared upon a farm to the age of eighteen years and thus early became
familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.
After his mother's death he learned the carpenter's trade, -which he followed
for a number of years. In 1856 he and his older brother went to Fort Des
Moines, Iowa, and the next year returned to Indiana. In 1859, however,
they again went to Fort Des Moines and in the spring of that year started
across the plains to California, arriving at Hangtown, now Placerville, in
September. The trip was made with five yoke of oxen. They had no trouble
until they reached the head of Snake river about eighty miles north of Salt
Lake, where they were attacked by Indians. Mr. Mishler's outfit and two
other wagons were about three miles in advance of the remainder of the train
when they were attacked by the red men. The Indians took seven head of
Mr. Mishler's oxen and in all carried off twenty-one head. Seven men of
the outfit followed the Indians on foot for thirty miles in the mountains and
succeeded in recovering seven head of oxen by reason of the fact that those
animals had strayed away from the others and the Indians left them behind.
LIBRARY
OF TH
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
JKSSK MISIII.KI;
MRS. JESSE M1SHLEE
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1033
The day before their cattle were stolen the party passed a man who was taking
a drove of cattle through to California. He was James Gimble, from Peoria,
Illinois. The next day he caught up with Mr. Mishler's train and the party
bought oxen of him. The two outfits traveled together from that time on
across the desert, there being now about sixty men in the train. After reach-
ing Carson river Mr. Mishler's brother remained with Mr. Gimble, while
Jesse Mishler and four companions made their packs and started on foot
across the mountains to Hangtown. He later went to Folsom and worked on
the western end of the Union Pacific railroad from September until Decem-
ber. He then proceeded to Sacramento, where he hired out to work on a
ranch for six months. He was next employed in a dairy in the service of
one man for three years, receiving thirty dollars per month and board. Dur-
ing all this time that he spent on the Pacific coast he heard not a word from
any of his people. In 1862 he started for Alaska, but on reaching Cariboo,
British Columbia, was so disgusted that he took a steamer on the return trip
to New York city by way of the Panama route, proceeding first to Goshen,
Indiana, and then to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he arrived in July,
1863. In 18'64 he enlisted for one hundred days' service in the Union army,
but remained at the front for nearly six months, being engaged in guarding
railroads in Tennessee. He was then discharged in Chicago in October of
that year.
Mr. Mishler was married in Sterling on the 25th of September, 1866,
Miss Lizzie Snavely becoming his wife. She was a daughter of Elias and
Mary (Mohler) Snavely. The young couple began their domestic life upon
a farm and Mr. Mishler continued to engage in agricultural pursuits in
Sterling township, east of the city, for twenty-three years. He lived upon
his mother-in-law's farm and at her death he and his wife inherited one-
half of the eighty acres. He then purchased the other half and now owns
one hundred and twenty acres in that farm, also another farm of one hun-
dred and fourteen acres known as the Andrews farm, his property interests
thus returning him a gratifying income and permitting his retirement from
active business. Since 1889 he has lived in Sterling in the enjoyment of a
well-earned rest.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mishler were born three sons and a daughter: Syl-
vester, who is engaged in the agricultural implement business at Bell wood,
Nebraska, and who married a Miss Berkey, by whom he has five children ;
Melvin, who is engaged in fruit-raising at Miami, Date county, Florida, and
who married Sarah Landis, by whom he has two children, Samuel and Lot-
tie; Calvin, who is married and is a photographer of Gallup. New Mexico;
and Rachel, the wife of Emanuel Keller, of South Dakota, and the mother
of one son. Mr. Mishler's first wife died in. November, 1888, at the age of
forty-two years, and in 1889 he wedded Mrs. August Sherrer, who passed
away in August, 1905, at the age of seventy-three years. In 1906 he mar-
ried Miss Clara Beffel, of Racine, Wisconsin.
In politics Mr. Mishler is a republican, but has never been an office-
seeker. His wife is a member of the Catholic church. Since 1889 he has
lived retired and owns and occupies a fine residence at No. 112 Fifth avenue.
1034 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
He also has a number of other residence properties in Sterling, eleven in all,
and his property interests yield him a very gratifying income. He has al-
way been a hard.working, thrifty man, and to his own labors, diligence and
perseverance his success is attributable. His life should serve to encourage
and inspire others who have to start out as he did empty-handed. His
record proves that success can be gained by persistent effort and that an
honored name may be won simultaneously.
JOHN S. BROWN.
John S. Brown, who follows the occupation of farming in Coloma town-
ship, where in connection with the tilling of the soil he is a dealer in fine
draft and coach horses, is known in the community as a wide-awake, alert
and enterprising business man. He was born June 13, 1841, in North
Stonington, Connecticut, his parents being Thatcher and Eunice (Spalding)
Brown, both of whom were natives of the Charter Oak state. The Browns
are descendants of three brothers, Thomas, John and Eleazer Brown, who
were sons of Thomas and Mary (Newhall) Brown, of Lym'e, Massachu-
setts.
John S. Brown pursued his early education in the common schools and
also a partial college course near Rochester, New York. His early boyhood
was passed in Stonington, Connecticut, but at the age of seventeen years he
removed to the'Empire state, residing in the vicinity of Rochester in Monroe
county. The year 1862 witnessed his arrival at Grand De Tour, Ogle county,
Illinois. He was then a young man of twenty-one years and he resided in
that locality until 1871, when he removed to Coloma township, Whiteside
county. Here he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and is today
the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres, all of which
he has brought under cultivation. He raises the cereals best adapted to
soil and climate and also deals in high class draft and coach horses and
both branches of his business are proving profitable.
On the llth of February, 1864, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Cor-
nelia Turner, a daughter of Z. B. and Emily (Day) Turner, who were
natives of New Hampshire and Vermont respectively. They came to Illinois
in 1836, settling first in Ogle county. The father died there at the ad-
vanced age of eighty-seven years and the mother passed away when seventy
years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born four children : Dan
E., who resides in Rock Island: Frank T., who is associated with his father
in farming and the breeding of horses; Walter B., who is superintendent
of the Victor Chemical Works, of Chicago, and is an expert chemist; and
Frederick Arthur, at home.
Mr. Brown exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the republican party, and keeps well informed on the questions
and issues of the day. The honors and emoluments of office, however, have
no attraction for him, as he prefers to give his undivided attention to his
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1035
business affairs. In religious faith he is a Methodist and he cooperates
in many movements for the public good, earnestly desiring the upbuilding
and progress of the community along lines which are of lasting benefit. In
his business affairs he is found thoroughly reliable and trustworthy, never
taking advantages of the necessities of another in a business transaction,
while his laudable ambition and unfaltering energy are dominant factors
in his success.
CHARLES STURTZ.
Among those who in former years were connected with the development
of the rich, natural resources of Whiteside county in agricultural lines and
are now living retired is numbered Charles Sturtz, who makes his home at
No. 713 Second avenue, in Sterling. The place of his nativity is Somerset
county, Pennsylvania, and the date July 6, 1837. The family comes of
German lineage, but was established in the Keystone state at an early day.
The grandfather, Christian Sturtz, was there born and reared, and devoted
his life to general farming. Both he and his wife reached advanced years
and reared a large family, which included John Sturtz, father of our subject,
who was born in Pennsylvania, and for many years followed farming in
Somerset county, near Wellersburg. There he died in 1869 when about
sixty-seven years of age. He married Rebecca Beal, likewise a native of Penn-
sylvania, as were her parents. She survived her husband for a number of
years, and was about eighty at the time of her death. Both were members
of the Lutheran church. Their family numbered fourteen children. Six
are yet living: Herman, a resident of Sterling; Christina, the wife of James
Close, of Wellersburg, Pennsylvania; Charles, of Sterling; Noah, of Iowa;
Louise, the -\vife of Enoch Long, of Rock Falls, Illinois; and Edward, of
Coshocton, Ohio.
Charles Sturtz was reared upon the home farm in Somerset county,
Pennsylvania, assisting in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting.
His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by
study in the Normal school, and he remained at home until he had attained
his majority, after which he continued to operate the home farm on shares
for several years. When the country needed the -aid of her loyal sons he
offered his services to the Union, enlisting irt 1862 in Company H of the
One Hundred and Seventy-first Pennsylvania regiment, with which he
served for about ten months. In February, 1865, he again joined the boys
in blue, with whom he continued until mustered out in Baltimore in June
of that year. He participated in a number of skirmishes, but in no pitched
battles. After the war he returned home to Somerset county, and in 1869
came w&st with his wife and five children, settling in Montmorency town-
ship, Whiteside county, Illinois, where he purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of land, upon which he lived until 1903. In the interim he brought
his farm under a high state of cultivation, transforming it into a richly
1036 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
improved tract, from which ho annually gathered good harvests. As the years
passed, the sale of his crops brought to him a good financial return, and in
1903 he purchased a beautiful home at No. 713 Second avenue, where he and
his wife still reside.
The lady who bears, his name was in her maidenhood Miss Catharine
Kennel, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (River) Kennel, natives of
Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandfather, Christian Kennel,
was likewise born in that state, and there married Hannah Leidig. They
had twelve children and were well advanced in years when called to their
final rest. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Sturtz were Peter and Cath-
arine (Long) River, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather was a farmer
and their family numbered thirteen or fourteen children, six of whom reached
maturity. Samuel Kennel, the father of Mrs. Sturtz, was born in Somerset
county, Pennsylvania, and there died at the age of sixty-nine years, while
his wife lived to the age of seventy-seven years. They were the parents of
two sons and four daughters: Mrs. Sturtz; Hannah, the deceased wife of
Jesse Sturtz. of Ellerslie, Maryland ; Jesse, also of Ellerslie ; Josiah, a resident
of Scottdale, Pennsylvania; Samuel, who makes his home in Ellerslie, Mary-
land; and Jonathan, of Wellersburg,' Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturtz had a family of thirteen children, ten sons and
three daughters. Oscar, the eldest, who died in July, 1904, had married
Daisy Willis and left two daughters, Hazel and Lucille. Charles Elmer, who
is state's attorney in Henry county, Illinois, married Alice Price and has
two daughters. Zola and Catharine. Alice is the wife of Herman Ba'chman,
of Dixon, and they have three children, Clyde, Lulu and Esther. Wilson is
a barber at Los Angeles, California. Martha is the wife of Arthur Emmett.
of Sterling, and they have three children, Ethel and Edith, twins, and Lloyd.
Grant is a practicing dentist of Marinette, Wisconsin, who married Olga .
Johnson, and has one son, Lloyd. Louis, a photographer of Green Bay,
Wisconsin, married Nettie Cole and has one son, Travers C. Herman, a den-
tist of Iron Mountain, Michigan, married Bessie Battle, and has a daughter,
Muriel. Lawrence, who operates the home farm, married Annie Sanger and
they have a daughter, Elsie. Cora is the wife of Clarence Ward, of Van
Patten, Illinois, and they have two sons, Harold and Louis, Edward, a
stenographer and bookkeeper of Chicago, married Marie Johnson, by whom
he has a daughter, Loraine. LeRoy and Harry are at home and the latter is
now a senior in the high school of Sterling.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church and are much es-
teemed in the community, where the hospitality of the best homes is cor-
dially extended them. In politics Mr. Sturtz is an earnest republican, having
stanchly supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of fran-
chise. He was township assessor and collector while living on the farm, and
in Pennsylvania served as justice of the peace, but his aspirations have not
been in the line of office holding, although in matters of citizenship he is
never remiss. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, and also to the
Grant Army Post of Sterling, and thus maintains pleasant relations with
his old army comrades. He has always manifested the same spirit of patriot-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1037
ism that he displayed when in the south he espoused the Union cause. Dur-
ing his residence in Whiteside county he has made an excellent record for
upright manhood and honorable citizenship, and may well be classed with
the representative men of the community.
URIAH NELSON JACOBS.
Uriah Nelson Jacobs, a prominent and successful agriculturist residing
on section 11, Jordan township, is one of the native sons of Whiteside county,
his natal day being August 4, 1858. His parents, John Adam and Catherine
(Stary) Jacobs, were both natives of Germany. The father left his native
land when but a youth, embarking on a vessel that brought him to the shores
of the new world in seventy days enough time by modern means of travel to
encircle the globe. On arriving at Baltimore, Maryland, a young German
lad, unable to speak a word of English, he had but seven cents in his pocket.
Believing that a farming community offered more opportunities for employ-
ment to one in his position than the city, he started to make his way on foot
to the country. While trudging along the highway he was overtaken by a
man named \Verhime, who was driving a team. Mr. Werhime asked the boy
to ride with him and, being able to speak German, he soon discovered that
his companion was a new arrival in this country and in quest of work. On
further learning that Mr. Jacobs was a skilled edge-tool maker, he invited
the lad to remain at his home over night, saying that the next day they
would go to town and see if they could not obtain employment for him. In
accordance with his promise, Mr. Werhime took him to a firm that was en-
deavoring to manufacture feed-cutting machines, but on account of not being
able to get an edge on their knives had not met with any degree of success.
Mr. Jacobs felt very proud when he was told that he was the very man they
needed if he could give the tools the right temper, for he felt sure that he
could prove his worth. The members of the firm knew that any one who
had learned a trade in Germany was thoroughly instructed and this gave
them some confidence in the applicant's ability, but when Mr. Jacobs told
them that their .-hop, especially the forges, would have to be reconstructed in
order to do the work, they began to realize that he knew his business. By
following out Mr. Jacobs' instructions the firm soon gained a large degree
of prosperity, and so well were their knives tempered that some of them are
in use to this day.
Mr. Jacobs carefully saved his earnings, and in the year 1853, having
accumulated about two thousand dollars, he decided to try his fortune in the
middle west. He journeyed by rail to Mendota, Illinois, thence by stage
coach to Dixon, the Illinois Central Railroad being in course of construction
at that time. He first purchased forty acres of land on section 11, Jordan
township, Whiteside county, improved that tract and by dint of hard work
and careful management was able to add to his possessions from time to time
until he owned nine hundred and forty acres, his prosperity being entirely
1038 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
the result of his own labor and indefatigable enterprise. During the earlier
part of his career in Whiteside county, when borrowing money with which
to purchase land, he paid as high as twenty-five per cent interest. He had
only one brother, who remained in Germany, and from whom he did not
hear for over forty years, but finally located him through some correspond-
ence and sent for him to come to America. It is also interesting to note that
Mr. Werhirne, who assisted Mr. Jacobs when he was in sure dire need, later
became a resident of this county through the influence of his former protege.
Mr. Jacobs belonged to that class of enterprising and public-spirited citi-
zens who, while attaining individual success, also contribute to the general
welfare and upbuilding of the community by their interest and active partici-
pation in the work of public improvement. He served as road commissioner
for some time and was widely and favorably known as one of the county's
honored pioneers. He passed away as the result of an accident on the 22d
of September, 1882. at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife survived
until August, 1892, having also attained the age of sixty-four years. In their
family were nine children, six of whom are yet living: John, who died in
childhood; Lydia Ann, also deceased; Samuel, who is a farmer of Poweshiek
county, Iowa; Moses, who passed away in Iowa: John Adam; Emanuel, who
resides in Sterling: Uriah Nelson, of this review; Jeremiah Francis; and
Lydia Ann, the wife of John J. Buckley.
Uriah Nelson Jacobs acquired his education in the common schools,
and when twenty-two years of age started out in life for himself as a farmer,
and has successfully followed agricultural pursuits ever since. After his
marriage he settled with his wife on the old home farm, which they still
occupy, the place comprising two hundred and sixty acres, most of which is
rented. It is among the most highly cultivated land in Whiteside county,
and the farm is one of the attractive features of the landscape, while the
home of the family is a beautiful structure nestled among a deep grove of
tall pines.
On the 14th of December, 1881, Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage to
Miss Jennie Maxwell, a daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Allison) Max-
well, natives of Scotland. The father was born in Lancashire, Scotland, a
son of John and Jeannette (Cunningham) Maxwell, natives of the same
part of Scotland. Archibald Maxwell came to America in 1854 and settled
in Jordan township, Whiteside county, journeying by rail from New York
to Chicago, and thence to St. Charles, which was the terminus of the railroad.
His first purchase of land consisted of forty acres from the Illinois Central
Railroad at eighteen dollars per acre, which he improved, and on which he
resided for some time, gradually adding to his landed holdings as the years
passed by. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and. he
remained a stanch advocate of republican principles until about ten years ago,
when he identified himself with the prohibition party. He has been school
director for many years, and has been an active factor in the upbuilding
and development of the county from pioneer times down to the present, his
influence being ever on the side of reform and progress in political, intel-
lectual and material lines. In the conduct of his farming interests he has
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1039
met with a well merited degree of success, and is widely recognized as a pros-
perous and enterprising citizen of the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Uriah
N. Jacobs has been born a son, Archie Shirly, who is attending school at
Polo.
In his political views Mr. Jacobs was formerly a democrat, but in recent
years has voted the prohibition ticket, for he believes that the temperance
question is of paramount importance in the United States today. He has
served as a school director for seventeen years, the cause of education ever
finding in him a stalwart friend. His religious faith is indicated by his
membership in the United Brethren church, while fraternally he is con-
nected with the Mystic Workers Lodge, No. 125, at Jordan Center. One of
the native sons of Whiteside county, his acquaintance is a wide one, and that
his life has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact
that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from
boyhood.
HENRY SAUER.
Henry Saner, who for a third of a century has been identified with the
business interests of Morrison, where he now owns and controls a hardware
and steam heating business, dealing in both shelf and heavy hardware and
in tinware, is one of Illinois' native sons, his birth having occurred in Kan-
kakee county in 1852. He is the eldest of the five children of Michael and
Katherine (Steinhilber) Sauer, both of whom were natives of Germany.
They are now living in Kankakee, the former at the age of seventy-eight
years and the latter at the age of eighty-five. They came to the United
States in 1850 and took up their abode at Kankakee, which was then a
small village, the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad having
but recently been completed at that time. In his native country Mr. Sauer
was a weaver and on coming to Illinois he conducted a stone quarry for
a number of years. Both he and his wife are members of the German
Evangelical church and in his political views he was long a democrat but is
now a stalwart republican. Well advanced in years, this worthy couple enjoy
the high regard of all who know them and have a very wide acquaintance
in the city of their residence. In addition to Henry Sauer the other mem-
bers of the family are: John, who was long connected with the regular
army and now makes his home in California; Albert, of Rock Island. Illinois,
who is serving in the regular army but is soon to be retired; Katie, of Mor-
ris, Illinois ; and Jacob, a tinsmith and merchant of Kankakee.
In the public schools of Kankakee, Henry Sauer began his education
and later he attended public and private schools in Morris, Illinois. When
he put aside his text-books he began learning the tinner's trade, which he
followed in Morris for six years and also spent some time in that way at
Galesburg, Illinois. In September, 1874, he arrived in Morrison, where he
worked at his trade for Robert Wallace for three years. He then bought
1040 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
a half interest in the hardware firm of A. A. Bruce and the business was
conducted under the firm style of A. A. Bruce & Company. In 1878 Mr.
Bruce retired and Mr. Sauer assumed sole control of the business. He car-
ries a good line of hardware, stoves, tinware and steam heating apparatus,
and has built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing in volume
and importance. His annual sales have long since reached a profitable figure
and have brought to him a very desirable competence.
In 1880 Mr. Sauer was married to Miss Mattie Bruce, who was born
in Sterling, Illinois, in 1856, a daughter of A. A. and Julia Bruce, early
settlers of Morrison, and the former at one time a partner of Mr. Sauer.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sauer have been born four children : Alfred H., born
in 1881, who is an attorney at law of Pigeon, Michigan; Archer E.. who is
in business with his father; Roland B., who graduated from the Morrison
high school in the class of 1908 and is now learning the jeweler's trade;
and Flora E., who is attending school. The family home is an attractive,
modern residence and the members of the household have many warm
friends. In his fraternal relations Mr. Saner is a Mason and since age has
conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a stalwart republican.
Deeply interested in community affairs, he has exercised his official pre-
rogatives in support of many movements for the public good. He served
as alderman of the third ward for two terms and was on the board when
a franchise was granted to the electric light company. He acted on the
committee and investigated other electric light plants preparatory to the
establishment of one in Morrison. Mr. Sauer is a self-made man. whose
success in life is attributable entirely to his own efforts. Faithfulness to
duty will do more to advance a man's interests than any other one thing
and it has been this which has won for Mr. Sauer the creditable position
which he now occupies in business circles and in public regard.
PETER E. BURKE.
The history of Peter E. Burke, now one of the substantial and prosper-
ous agriculturists of Tampico township, is that of a self-made man, who at
the age of seventeen years started out in life for himself and has since been
dependent upon his own efforts. Obstacles and difficulties have blocked his
path and in the face of disasters which would utterly have disheartened
many a man of less resolute spirit he has shown the strongest determination
and the most commendable courage. Retrieving the losses caused by tornado
and fire and gradually making orderly progress he stands today as one of
the men of affluence in Whiteside county, respected and honored by all who
know him for what he has accomplished.
He was born in Buckingham, Canada, June 29. 1850, his parents being
Michael and Mary (Garden) Burke, both of whom were natives of Ireland.
In early life the father crossed the Atlantic to Canada to secure a location
and then returned to Ireland, where he organized a colony which he brought
02
LiBRAfW
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF IL'JNO!
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1043
with him to the new world in the early '30s. He located at Buckingham in
the midst of a very heavily timbered region and there he married and estab-
lished his home, building a log cabin. He split staves from the timber to
cover the roof and had no floor in the little dwelling. A fireplace in one end of
the room served to heat the house, while over the wire hung kettles in which
were prepared the meals. Mr. Burke began the arduous and difficult task of
clearing a tract of the land and preparing it for the crops. Much of the
timber was burned in order to quickly get rid of it, but the ashes of the hard
timber were saved and sold to make potash. This was all the means they had
for bringing in a little ready money the first year. For three years Mr. and
Mrs. Burke lived in their tiny log cabin, which was destitute of many of the
comforts of life, but during that time he prospered and was then able to build
a two-story house, partly of frame and partly of logs. He also purchased
a stove in which could be burned a four-foot stick of wood. It seemed then
that this was a great luxury, being in sharp contrast to the methods which
they had previously been following for cooking and also for heating the
house. Year by year the conditions of pioneer life were replaced by those
of a modern civilization and the father continuously carried on the farm
work until his death in 1853. The following year the mother came to Illi-
nois with her son Peter and one daughter and remained a resident of this
state until her demise in 1877. In the family were six children, but four
of the number died in infancy,' the sister of our subject being Katherine,
now the widow of Owen McCabe, and a resident of Tampico, Illinois.
Peter E. Burke was only three years old at the time of his father's death
and was a little lad of four years when, brought by his mother to Illinois.
Here he was reared and at the age of seventeen he started out in life on his
own account, renting a farm which he cultivated for four years. On the
expiration of that period he turned his attention to merchandising, opening a
grocery and queensware business in Tampico, in which he was very success-
ful, soon building up a large trade. During the second year, however, a
tornado struck the little town of Tampico and demolished his store, upon
which he carried no insurance. He made a second start, however, and rebuilt
the store. In 1874, however, disaster again overtook him, this time a fire
breaking out and destroying his store, which, however, rose, Phoenixlike,
from the ashes. With undaunted courage and determination he again em-
barked in business, which he successfully carried on until 1886, in the mean-
time securing a large and profitable trade. In the year mentioned he dis-
posed of his store and turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits,
purchasing eighty acres of land on section 25, Tampico township, where he
now resides. As the years have passed he has added to his realty holdings
until he now owns three hundred and thirty-three acres in this county. He
is now engaged in general farming and also makes a specialty of raising
and feeding stock. Both branches of his business are carefully conducted
and from his property he derives a good annual income.
Mr. Burke was married April 4, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth C. Graham, who
was born in the state of New York, March 31, 1853, a daughter of James
and Mary Ann (Sterling) Graham, who were natives of Ireland and came
1044 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
to America in the early '50s. Their family numbered three children:
Alford J., now living in Bureau county, Illinois; Mrs. Burke; and Caroline,
the wife of Frank Adams, of Bureau county. The parents are both now
deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burke were born five children: James S.,
who received his education in the public schools of the county ; William, who
is a graduate of the Tampico high school ; Mary V. ; Caroline M. ; and Kath-
erine, who attended the Lyons Seminary, at Lyons, Iowa. Katherine com-
pleted the entire course, graduating not only from the literary department
but also from the department of music of that institution. The death of the
wife and mother occurred November 29, 1904, and was the occasion of deep
regret to many friends as well as to her immediate family.
Mr. Burke and his children are members of the Catholic church. In
politics he has always been a democrat, but never an office-seeker, although
he served as drainage commissioner for several years. He has a wide ac-
quaintance in the village of Tampico and throughout this section of the
county and is justly respected for what he has accomplished and the honor-
able, straightforward business methods he has followed.
LOUIS N. SOX.
Louis N. Sox, a retired farmer and manager at Sterling for the Palmyra
Mutual Insurance Company, was born in Sterling township, this county,
February 4, 1854. His parents were Herman and Margaret (Owens) Sox,
natives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. The former was a son
of Selig and Rosa Sox, Avho spent their entire lives in Germany, where they
reared their family of nine children: Hirtz, Myers, Herman, Abram, Louis,
Hirsch, Hannah, Rosa and Emma, Of these, Herman Sox came to America
when eighteen years of age and settled near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania,
where he married Miss Margaret Owens, a native of that state and a daughter
of Redman and Christiana (Arnold) Owens, who spent their entire lives
in Pennsylvania, where they reared their family of children, namely: Chris-
tiana, Edward, John, Mary, Hattie and Elizabeth.
Herman Sox, the father, was born November 14, 1814, and remained in
Germany until 1835, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States.
He had acquired a common-school education in the fatherland and also
obtained a knowledge of soap and candle manufacture. After coming to
the new world he spent three years in Philadelphia and on attaining his
majority he removed to St. Louis, Missouri. The year 1837 witnessed his
arrival in Whiteside county, so that he was one of its first settlers. When
he came here almost the entire county was just as it appeared when it came
from the hand of nature but the district was rich in its possibilities, and
he lived to witness many changes which transformed it into one of the
finest agricultural counties of the state. For five years he worked by the
month as a farm hand and afterward rented land until he had acquired
sufficient capital to enable him to purchase two hundred and forty acres in
Sterling township. He afterward sold eighty acres of that tract and brought
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1045
the remaining one hundred and sixty acres under a high state of cultivation.
He placed- thereon fine buildings and made it one of the best homes of
the county.
In Pennsylvania, on the 27th of December, 1838, Herman Sox was
married to Miss Margaret Owens, who was born in that state, November 14,
1814, the same day on which her husband's birth occurred. Their chil-
dren were Emily, Jane, Ella, Edward F., Hattie, Mary, Louis N., Harmon
E. and Amanda, all living but Mary. In the death of the parents the
county lost two of its best known arid most worthy pioneer settlers, for from
an early period in the development of the county the family has figured
prominently in its growth and substantial improvement.
Louis N. Sox was reared upon the home farm in Sterling township and
at the usual age became a pupil in the district schools, while later he at-
tended the public schools of Sterling. During the periods of vacation he
assisted in the work of the home farm and after he had attained his ma-
jority he began providing for his own support by work as a farm hand and
was thus employed until his father's death on the 24th of March, 1888.
Herman Sox reached the age of seventy-four years and was survived by his
wife until the 7th of June, 1902, when she was nearly eighty-eight years
of age. In religious faith she was a Lutheran and possessed many excellent
traits of heart and mind. Mr. Sox, whose ability and worth were widely
recognized by his fellow townsmen, was several times called to serve in
positions of public honor and trust. His business affairs were carefully and
ably managed, and in connection with the cultivation of his fields he en-
gaged successfully and extensively in dealing in live-stock.
As stated, Louis N. Sox worked at farm labor until after his father's
death, when he purchased the old homestead farm and was thereafter con-
tinuously engaged in its further development and management until the
spring of 1898, when he rented the place and removed to Sterling, where
he purchased and improved a beautiful residence at No. 809 Second avenue.
He still owns the home farm of sixteen acres and it brings him a good rental.
"While living in Sterling he has been manager of the Palmyra Mutual In-
surance Company and in this connection has a lucrative position. His
political views accord with the principles of the republican party and he
is a firm advocate of the party policy although he has never sought or de-
sired office for himself.
On the 30th of June, 1902, Mr. Sox was married to Miss Addie Gift,
a daughter of John A. and Mary Ann (Arnold) Gift, and a granddaughter
of David Gift. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and lived near
Chambersburg. The father died in 1883, at the age of forty-five years, and
the mother, still surviving, lives at the old home place. They were the
parents of the following children who reached adult age: Robert. David,
Jennie, William, John, Addie, Ella, James, Elliott and Clara. The father
was a farmer by occupation and served his country as a soldier in the
Civil war.
Mr. and Mrs. Sox are members of the Lutheran church and are well
known in Sterling and this part of the county, for the hospitality of their
1046 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends: Mr. Sox belongs to one
of the oldest families of the county. The name has figured in connection
with the agricultural development of this part of the state for seven decade*
and the members of the family have ever stood for upright citizenship, relia-
bility in business and progress in every relation of life.
JOHN COURTRIGHT.
John Courtright, who is now living retired, receiving a good income
from valuable property interests, has made his home in Whiteside county
since 1852 and has therefore been a witness of much of its growth and
upbuilding. He has taken a deep interest in its progress and has contributed
in substantial measure to its agricultural development, and now in his re-
tirement from business he watches its continued progress with pride.
He has attained the age of eighty-four years, his birth having occurred
in Sussex county, New Jersey, October 10, 1823. He is a son of Reuben
Courtright and a grandson of Samuel Courtright. The latter, a native of
New Jersey, was a farmer by occupation, reared a large family and died
in old age. Reuben Courtright, also born in New Jersey, followed agri-
cultural pursuits as a life work and cast in his lot with the early settlers
of Genesee township, Whiteside county. There he continued to make his
home up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was eighty-six
years of age. In early manhood he wedded Deborah Bedell, also a native of
New Jersey, her parents being farming people of Sussex county. She died
in middle life and Mr. Courtright afterward married Elizabeth Van Nettan,
who is also now deceased. There were ten children, four sons and six
daughters, of the first marriage, of whom three still survive: Catharine, the
widow of William Woolley, now living in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age
of ninety -two years; Margaret, the widow of Franklin Woolley and a resi-
dent of Sterling at the age of eighty-six years; and John, who is eighty -four
years of age. There were also ten children of the father's second marriage
and the four who survive are: Lydia Ann, the wife of William Howard,
of Sterling; George Courtright, of this city; Josephine, the wife of Henry
Shively, of Peoria, Illinois ; and Aaron Courtright, of Denver, Colorado.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm
life for John Courtright in his boyhood and youth. He was reared in Sussex
county, where he acquired his education, and when not busy with hi.s text-
books he assisted in the work of tilling the soil. After he had reached man-
hood he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of
years. While still living in the east he was married, in 1848, to Miss Sarah
A. Trauger and in 1852 they removed westward to Illinois with their daugh-
ter, settling in Genesee township. Whiteside county. During the first sum-
mer Mr. Courtright worked at his trade and afterward bought a farm, to
which he has since added. . The property is therefore extensive and valuable
an'd its line appearance indicates his careful supervision and practical meth-
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1047
ods. He broke the sod, planted the first crops, built a house and otherwise
improved the place, converting it into a productive tract. He paid three
dollars and a half per acre for the first farm, which is today worth one hun-
dred and fifty dollars per acre. He also owns another farm of seventy-five
acres near the old homestead, together with one hundred and sixty acres in
North Dakota, an interest in eighty acres in Ustick township and a half
section in Greeley county, Kansas. Great changes have occurred since he
came to the county fifty-five years ago, for the once wild land has been con-
verted into rich and productive farms, in the midst of which thriving towns
and villages have sprung up, affording all the advantages of a modern
civilization.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Courtright were born a daughter and son. The
former, Amanda Jane, became the wife of Francis Adelbert Gould, of Ster-
ling, and they have a son, John L., who married Nellie Cokersberger and
has three children Francis Adelbert, George Raymond and Leon Lester.
The brother of Mrs. Gould was Lester Courtright, who died at the age of six
years. The mother died December 31, 1906, when more than eighty years
of age, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she had long been
a consistent and devoted member. Her loss was deeply deplored by the
church and her friends, as well as her husband and daughter. She was
devoted to the welfare of her home and family and displayed many of the
sterling qualities of the ideal wife and mother.
Mr. Courtright owns and occupies a fine brick residence at No. 712
First avenue. He is a stockholder of the State Bank of Sterling and his
industry in former years, resulting in judicious investment in property and
stocks, has made him financially independent, permitting him now to enjoy
a well earned rest. In 1891 he left the farm and removed to the city, where
he has since made his home. He has held various township offices and
as school director has done effective service in behalf of the cause of edu-
cation. Politically he is a republican with unfaltering faith in the prin-
ciples of the party. A review of his life shows that in business he has been
diligent as well as reliable, that in citizenship he has been loyal to the best
interests of the community and that his social acquaintances know him as
a tried and trusted friend.
HERMAN STURTZ.
Among the residents of Sterling who have passed the scriptural span of
three score years and ten is Herman Sturtz, who has reached the seventy-ninth
milestone on life's journey, his natal day being January 7, 1829, and the place
of his birth Somerset county, Pennsylvania. The family comes of German
ancestry and was founded in America in colonial days. The grandfather,
Christian Sturtz, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he followed farming
in support of his family, and until the time of his death, which occurred
when he was sixty years of age. His wife, Mrs. Margaret Sturtz, lived to be
1048 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
about seventy-five years of age. They had seven sons and seven daughters,
all of whom reached adult age and were married, while nearly all of them
became residents of Ohio.
John Sturtz, the father of our subject, was born in the Keystone state
and was reared to the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He married
Eebecca Korns, a daughter of John and Mary (Korns) Beal, who were
likewise natives of Pennsylvania, the father being of German descent. He
was a farmer and died when about forty-five years of age, while his wife
reached the age of seventy-five years. They, too, became parents of seven
sons and seven daughters, and the following children were born
unto Mr. and Mrs. John Sturtz: Herman and Charles, who are
residents of Sterling; Noah, of Iowa; Edward, of Ooshocton, Ohio;
Catharine, the deceased wife of William Beal; Margaret, the deceased wife
of Jacob Beal ; Christina, the wife of James Close, of Wellersburg, Pennsyl-
vania; Susan, the deceased wife of Jacob. M. Kennell, of Kennell's Mill,
Pennsylvania; Louisa, the wife of Enoch Long, of Bock Falls, Illinois; and
three who died in childhood. The father died at the age of sixty-seven years,
while his wife reached the age of seventy-six years. He devoted his life to
farming and held various township offices, to which he was called by the
vote of his fellow citizens.
Herman Sturtz was reared to farm life upon the old homestead in
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and when the work of the fields was over
for the year he entered the public schools, thus acquiring a fair English edu-
cation. He continued to assist his father until after he had attained his
majority and in 1855 he sought a home in the west, believing that he could
secure business advancement more rapidly in a, district less thickly settled.
Arriving in Whiteside county, he purchased eighty acres of land in Mont-
morency township from Henry T. Noble, paying four dollars per acre, and
at once began the development of a farm, first erecting a frame house of
two rooms. - Upon this farm he made his home for forty-six years. His
untiring industry and diligence during that period transformed it from a
wild tract of land into one of rich fertility and as his financial resources
increased he extended its boundaries from time to time until he became
the owner of four hundred acres. As the years passed he prospered in his
undertakings, for in his farm work he was eminently practical, and his labors
were guided by sound judgment. In June, 1902, he left the farm and
removed to Sterling, purchasing a beautiful home at No. 501 First avenue,
where he and his wife now reside. He has sold his land in this county but
still owns sixteen hundred and thirty-two acres in Trego and Graham counties,
Kansas, and derives therefrom a good income.
The marriage of Mr. Sturtz was celebrated on the 9th of October, 1851,
when Miss Catharine Long became his wife. She was a granddaughter of
Jonathan Long, who was born, lived and died in Pennsylvania. His wife
was Sarah (Troutman) Long, who passed away in her fiftieth year. Jona-
than Long, the father of Mrs. Sturtz, was born in Somerset county, Pennsyl-
vania, was a farmer by occupation and also conducted a sawmill for many
years. He married Sarah Troutman, also a native of the Keystone state
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY 1049
and a daughter of William and Mary (Korns) Troutman, who were born
in Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer arid became connected with the
middle west in pioneer times. He served as a soldier in the Black Hawk
war. His death occurred in Pennsylvania when he had reached the age of
eighty-six years and his wife died when past middle life. They were the
parents of three sons and four daughters, including Mrs. Long. At an
early period in the development and settlement of Northampton township,
Whiteside county, Jonathan Long and his wife took up their abode there
and were closely associated with its early progress and improvement. He
was an active worker and elder in the Lutheran church. He died when
more than eighty-three years of age, while his wife passed away at the age
of fifty-five years and three months. They had ten children, six of whom
reached adult age, while three are now living: Susan, who became the
wife of Louis Hullinger and after his death married a Mr. Patton, who is
also now deceased; Catharine, who is now Mrs. Sturtz; and Enoch Long,
of Rock Falls, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturtz have had no children of their own but have given
a good home to four children. They are consistent and faithful members
of the Presbyterian church and their Christianity is an element in their
daily lives. Mr. Sturtz belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. 0. 0. F., and
in politics has always been a republican since the formation of the party.
For four years he was supervisor of Montmorency township and was school
director for twenty-one years, while for a ,time he served as road commis-
sioner arid for a long period was school trustee. He has always stood for
progressive citizenship and has contributed to the substantial growth and
progress of the community by the cooperation which he has given to many
movements for the general good. In his business life he has won that pros-
perity which ever crowns earnest, persistent, well directed and honorable
effort and is therefore now enabled to enjoy the comforts and some of the
luxuries of life while living retired in Sterling.
CHARLES T. RUSSELL.
Charles T. Russell is one of the best known native sons of Sterling, and
his salient characteristics are such as entitle him to mention among its repre-
sentative men. He was for a number of years well known in banking circles
here, but is now living retired, his home being at No. 602 Second street.
One of the native sons of Whiteside county, his birth occurred in Como, on
the 25th of March, 1860, his parents being Charles N. and Julia Turner
(Sampson) Russell, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The
family remained at Como until October, 1863, when the parents came with
their children to Sterling, and here Charles T. Russell was reared. At the
usual age he entered the public schools and passed through successive grades
until he had acquired a good English education. He entered business life
as a clerk and was employed in that capacity for several years, after which
1050 HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Sterling National Bank and
there remained for eleven years. Since that time he has lived retired.
On the 5th- of September, 1889, Mr. Russell was married to Miss May C.
Hubbard, a daughter of Charles C. and Lucia Aurora (Reed) Hubbard, who
were natives of Vermont, living at Thctford. They were married in 1840
arid in 1848 removed westward, .settling in Dover township, Bureau county,
where the father engaged in farming and also in merchandising. In 1880
he brought his family to Sterling, where he and his wife spent their remain-
ing days, his death occurring in 1883, when he was seventy-one years of
age, while Mrs. Hubbard survived until July 20, 1903, and died at the age
of eighty-four years. He filled the office of assessor and collector in Dover
township. Bureau county, and was a prominent and influential man in his
community. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and three daughters.
The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Russell were Josiah and Agatha Hubbard,
the former a native of Vermont and a farmer by occupation. He died there
March 7, 1871, when about eighty-seven years of age, and his wife, who was
born June 22, 1784, died January 29, 1859, when almost seventy-five years
of age. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters. The ma-
ternal grandfather of Mrs. Russell was Rufus Reed, who was born in Ver-
mont, April 9, 1777, and died January 10, 1852, when almost seventy-five
years of age. He cultivated a farm and also conducted a grist and lath mill
and was a very active, energetic business man. His wife, who bore the maiden
name of Lydia Wallace, was born September 18. 1783, and died in 1860.
They had a large family.
Mr. and Mrs. Russell hold membership in the Congregational church and
are prominent socially in Sterling, the hospitality of the best homes being
cordially extended them,' while good cheer at their own fireside makes their
home a favorite resort with their .many friends. They reside at No. 602
Second street. Politically Mr. Russell is a republican, but without desire or
aspiration for office.
JOHN HEISS.
In a history of men whose enterprise and diligence have contributed to
the substantial upbuilding and development of the county, mention should
be made of John Heiss, who was in former years connected with industrial
interests in Morrison and was also connected with agricultural life as the
owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Clyde township.
He was born in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany, in 1825, and lived to the
age of sixty-seven years, passing away in 1892. He remained a resident of
the fatherland until more than thirty years of age, when, in 1857, he came
to the United States, making his way to Morrison. Here he worked on the
stone masonry of the Annan mill. He had previously served for seven years
in the German army and a part of that time was spent in the engineers corp?,
so 
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